The Legend Of Spyro: Love And War Book 2

by Spyro and Cynder lover

Continuation Of Book One! With Malefor returned to normal, Spyro and Cynder in love, and everyone now back to their normal lives, another threat; Flint, the new Dark Master, will put everyone and friendships to the test, mixing lies and threats against one another. Death is around every corner, lives at risk, and sometimes, not even being dead means you're forgotten.

47. Chapter 47: The Calm Before The Storm

Chapter 47: The Calm Before The Storm

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The Previous Day

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To the top of an overhung hill, not very high from the ground but connecting to elevated level of green, stood atop three dragons of secondary and primary elements. Two stood back from the hill, dawning Prosperity armor and weapons. One compiled colors of black and soft yellow, though his power consisted of fear. The other was of red and blue; his power coming from the firey redness of his scales instead of his blue secondary. However, unlike the other two who sat calm and collected within their armor, the final dragon showed no chill. Compared to the others, the muscle mass for him surely wouldn't fit in such a tight space. His body was nothing that of a scrawny or even heavily muscular dragon such as Terrador. The plica semilunaris of his eye showed more of a dark grey than pink, and rather his iris show black or grey, it took on a dark yellow. Where Spyro's Darkened Purple Form could turn his whole scirea yellow, the similarities were still another way to invoke fear or panic. His face wasn't smooth either. His nose was like a horn, branding many gentle bumps to where these armor crusted bones made their way up his face and to the top of his head. His chin showed small spikes, and from the under of his chin created two fins: one for his left jaw line, and another for his right. The sharpened spikes made their way all throughout his back cheek bones and the back half of his head. These spikes covered enough to act as an extra layer to what would already be an exposed skull of scales. His horns were gentle, curving only slightly down before perking up with a small tip. He had two; one to his edge left and right of his head, each colored like a phantom, showing colors of a dark black to the top but a show of white at the bottoms. It was like you could see his bones just from the sight alone. His primary colors were of iron, and his secondary of harbor gray; only a little darker than that. From the top middle, down to his back, and all the way to his tail were a row of spiked fins: soft when needed to be, but dangerous when the times called. His blade showed similar to a newly green leaf, though holes were punctured through the flaps. His wings were muscular, and the top tips were curved spikes that worked similar to his horns. This dragon stood tall, strong, and made the Dark Master look like a new born hatchling. He paced back and forth to the front of the hill, constantly showing teeth; sweats dripping down all sides of his scales. It was dark, and nearly impossible to see. The only light source they were given was a small campfire to the middle of the three. With it being so late now, the two to the back were starting to grow weary. For having been up here so long, the fire dragon took his chances, "It's gotten rather late, sir. Don't you think we should head back to our village?"

"NO!" The strapping and robust iron colored dragon slammed his paw to the ground with enough force to crack through and implant himself into the earth's greens and dirts, "We wait here for my son!" Ripping his paw from the ground below, he sat now, looking off into the distance and keeping hope, "Seth knows by now not to disobey. I told him this is where we'd meet."

"Maybe he forgot and went back home," The other dragon suggested.

"Then don't you think someone from the village would've came and got us?" His voice was unlike any other; taking on a tone of corrupted rage and an untamed beast, but instead of losing control, he broke its will to live, "My son isn't stupid, and with the eleven he took to deal with Serena and Ava, he shouldn't have failed. Unless there was something more he wasn't telling me."

Noticing now the time of day and just how late it really had gotten; the sounds of crickets, katydids, and cicadas helped him come to a decision. Sighing somewhat, his anger got the best of him, but being the Father of his family, he knew looking out for them would be ideal, "You two go back home," He didn't face the two when giving these instructions, "I'll wait for Seth here. If need be, I'll handle this situation myself if I have to. I don't want you all to see what I'll have to do."

The two, while being adult sized and aged dragons, were being cuddled by the man. They didn't much mind his help at all, and in many ways thanked him, "Thank you. We'll make it up someway when we get back home."

The two turned to take their leave. However, just as their wings opened, and group of dragons landing before the masculine dragon, closed. The Iron dragon was far enough away from the hill for the eleven to drop down, and at the front and center was a fear dragon. His right eye and been slashed, and with a paw covering over it, he cried to his father, "Dad...! DAD!"

The Iron dragon watched in horror over his son's appearance. Scars showed in many locations, but the cries of bloody agony, and the condition his son was in made everything that much more horrific, "Seth?!" His son jumped into his father's arms, both holding one another in their wings; however for Seth, his paws held over his crying and other scarred eye, "Seth! My son, what... ...what happened?!"

"It-it-it was... ...It... It was, Spyro!" Moving back from his father to show tears, Seth made his despair known, "He protected them! We went in to deal with Serena and Ava, told everyone there the truth and what they were! Bu-bu-bu-but he... ...he didn't care! He said he liked the idea of fighting, and with peace unfortunately coming over the world, another war to deal with would give him something to do!" The Father's eyes shrunk to hear this news, to see what Spyro had done to his son: it was all so much, "I tried to fight him... ...I tried to protect, everyone... ...BUT I FAILED!" Nearly collapsing to his father's chest, the iron dragon was there for his son and held him up, "He attacked all of us... ...and the only reason those four aren't injured is because he forced them to drag our bodies out from Warfang!"

"It's true!" Another injured dragon spoke up, "He nearly killed us... ...The only reason we look better than worse is because of the amount of time needed to heal these wounds! Some gem patches were around, but for many of us... ...these wounds... ...we knew we would've died if we kept stopping at gems patches to heal!"

The Father noticed the wounds from all aside from four. They were completely clean; free of any show towards blood, sweat, or even tears and dust. Each seemed hesitant on what was being said, and that included faces of disgust or anger. It wasn't understood why they looked this way, but the Father wanted answers from the four, "Talon, Dalton, Linda, Kayla!" The four all faced him with different expressions, though Kayla's was of pure rage, "Is this true?! Did that bastard really force you four to drag their bodies out?!"

They were hesitant to say anything at all. When they did try to admit the wrongness of it all, another dragon would spring to action, giving more false information on what happened, "Of course he did!" Three of them looked over to the dragon who had spoken and saw nothing but disgust for these lies, "All I remember really though is begging for my life before being knocked unconscious! We pleaded for them to understand; for them to see we weren't there to harm them... ...but then Serena got involved... ...and that bitch stabbed me right through the arm..."

Hearing once again of their brutal nature, the Father about had it with these descriptive details. His veins showed to his muscles and arms; the pointed spikes around his body sharpening, and what even looked like darkness rose from his every being. Seth saw his father's reaction and tried not to smile. Though the act he had put on needed to stay for a little while longer, "But, Dad..." He tried to look his father in the eyes, but the iron dragon's vision was focused off in the distance to where Warfang was, "I know you're upset, but you can't fight them on this. Spyro's power is too much for you. Him alone is enough to tame the Dark Master and the Terror Of The Skies. He has monsters galore in there, and I even hear he's trying to gain an alliance with the City and Rebels to kill us all!"

He showed no shiver to this whatsoever. His body stayed calm, and after the good flex he had, the spikes and veins eased themselves down. Reaching a paw up, the need to comfort his son was at the forefront of his needs. Gentle pets were given from the top of his head down to the back of his neck, avoiding his son's horns on the way down. Smiling down on the weeping child now, a smile was given from the iron dragon, "Don't worry, my son. Hehe... after all, don't you remember those stories I told you of? How I bested the Dark Master with ease? How I survived a confrontation with the Terror Of The Skies?" The true stories helped his son breathe easily, "The Dark Master thinks he's clever, but in reality, he's nothing more than a child. The scar across my right eye was simply because he tried playing dirty. But with a quick left hook, that dumb bastard puked his guts for hours."

"You... really think you can take them on?"

"No one harms my family. After all, the only reason the City Of Prosperity is still standing is simply because they've left us alone, but it seems my kind heart has turned others against us," Taking his wings back, he knelt down before his son, which didn't do much good considering the size difference, but he wanted nothing more than to help his child, "Listen... ...you take as much time as you like to rest and heal up. I'll make sure to deal with this... group, tomorrow. But for now... ...I wish to stay with you... ...and make sure your recovery is swift and painless."

"Then we four should go back," Kayla was brave to speak her mind, though her saying made some of the others show a close similarity to attacking positions, "We know the most about them, and considering we aren't injured," Her eyes shifted off to the liars around her, "There should be no problem whatsoever with us going back."

The iron dragon didn't notice Seth's teeth display from her saying this. He was already in agreement as this sounded like the perfect idea, "I can live with that. However you four are not to attack. Once I play peaceful... ...maybe... then you four will leave and I'll deal with this group of terrorists," Standing up now and showing the muscle and strength he had, Kayla was rather worried that Spyro really would be fighting a losing battle, "I don't need to hold back, so best bet would be to kill Cynder first. She's slick which makes her a bitch to deal with. Though if I have to break her wings again, I will."

"I have a request," Kayla needed something first, "Lara. I wish to bring her along," Everyone showed wide eyes for this request, and even for Seth, he didn't know what she was planning at this point, "Yes, I know of her conditions and injuries, but as I've already said, I believe to know the best way to take them down. Without her, Spyro won't be immobilized. If you bring her along, Cynder and Spyro will surely be down in seconds."

The Father didn't understand her plan, though either way he looked at it, he knew trusting Kayla was a good idea, "You've never been wrong before. Though I don't know how you'll convince her to leave her home. You'll probably have to carry her throughout our flight. Her... ...condition, has worsened. Now not only does her paw give way when walking, but so does her wing," Sighing to the pain of the female, the Father was saddened by the truth and reality of it all, "The doctors said that... ...if they can't find a way to help heal her... ...she may very well be paralysed for the rest of her life."

The others didn't see it, but for the other three who knew Kayla, an idea came their minds. This was both bad, and great news for her, "We know for a fact Serena, Ava, Amara, and Axel will be there, including the Guardians and their females. However from what we've seen, the Guardians and their females are hostages."

Keeping as many safe as she could, Kayla checked her boundaries and memories to ensure no one was unnecessarily injured, That should keep the Guardians and their partners from being a target. However, I need to get his focus off of Cynder and onto Spyro. I have no doubt in the Father's abilities to kill Spyro, but if he harms Cynder, then I have no doubt we'll all die. Coming up with a better idea on the fly, pain needed to be redirected, Sorry, Spyro... but I'm still salty about what you did to my lover. Coming up with a decent plan, at least for the time being, she let him know of it, "To be honest, you should immobilize Spyro first," The Father raised a brow in wonder for why she'd think this was, "He's been feeding off of the Dark Master and Cynder's dark powers, so they're a lot weaker than before. Take Spyro down at least, and there's no doubt in my mind you wouldn't be able to win in seconds."

The Father gave it some thought, knowing no matter what, a real plan was needed here, "We will discuss more of this tonight. For now," Walking to the side of his son, he draped his hardened yet smooth wing over Seth's back, and instead of his vicious growl, love was still to be had, "Tell you what. I'll gather the ingredients around town so I can make you your favorite meal. I know late night snacks can hurt your stomach but, hey... ...I'll stay up as late as you want. As long as I get some sleep, the need to protect you will burn through the days and nights," The two smiled to each other, and with the two walking home, everyone else was sure to follow, "I love you, son."

"I love you too, dad," Seth nuzzled his father.

For the four at the back, it proved to be rather anxiety filled. They were surrounded by their worse enemies now. Talon showed teeth to some, and they showed teeth back Getting elbowed from his side, Talon looked up and over to see his lover. Kayla stayed calm and quiet, keeping with the group and bringing her head down in secrecy, "They won't do anything unless we do. For now, we wait out our time until we get back to Warfang," Realizing the panic and fear she was in, though it didn't show, it was heard in her voice, "I never thought I'd say this... ...but I already miss that dumb purple son of a bitch. I wouldn't have minded talking with the rest of that family, though hopefully here soon, we'll get that chance."

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Present Day

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I'm somewhat scared and glad this message came through. However, regarding that of the request, I'm not very fond of what's next. Passing the time in his loneliness, Axel, making his way through the brightened yet shiny colors of the leading hallway to a particular room, worked and continued his mind through thought. The morning of today made his eyes seem dull; dragging behind and letting his body find time to wake itself up. It didn't help that the sun was shining through the windows in more of an orange to standard blue. Clearly past the time of nine to at least ten in the morning, Axel still found trouble waking up. It's fine, It's fiiiiine, it's... ugh... ...Can't wait till I can move in with, Amara. Didn't expect her dad to freak out as bad as he did, and now I'm staying in some hotel till I either find a new home... ...or Amara's father gets the stick out his ass. He remained serious in his looks, fooling anyone that his emotions could've varied. Instead, he looked this way to keep others away. Noticing the red carpet to this certain door; guarded by two tall dragons in full sets of armor and weapons, Axel tried not to smile. Adjusting a cardboard box under his right wing to make sure the package of some sort was secure, his claw raised up to the right side of his head. Pushing a small button on the mic, his voice spoke a tone of anger, "Amara, I have a package for you."

His claw dropped back down to the floor, and with it puffing in sounds touching the carpet below, the door clicked open on its own. Paying no attention to anyone around, Axel made his way towards the door. Pushing open the already open right side, his body was quick to turn around upon entering the room. Pushing it closed with not just one, but both his paws showed a need of privacy. The loud click and bang signified the shut of the door. Now knowing privacy was all but theirs, his front half slid down and to the floor, having nothing to hold him up aside from his weak back legs. He let out a long growl, annoyed at the least and aggravated at best, "Uuuuuuuugggggggghhhhhhh..." Pulling himself up and off the floor proved to be a challenge, "First the thing with your father, and now this up and coming... arrangement... ...I need you now more than ever..." Turning himself around now to face the middle of the room where her bed was positioned, hopefully she was there the same, "Amara, you-AH!"

Jumping up in horror and expecting no visitors, Amara wasn't the only one on her bed. But instead, so was a shadowy female. Where Amara smiled, this other female showed teeth: disgust for the scream and actions he had just made. Rubbing his eyes for a second to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him, Axel outright asked, "Wh-wh-what is Celina doing in here?!"

"Bought to shut me up a dumb bitch, that's what I'm doing," Celina showed teeth, sitting off to Amara's left.

"Now now you two, play nice," Amara was the voice of reason, "Axel, I'm taking Spyro's advice and getting to know Celina some more," As she spoke, the male shadow dragon made his way up and over to the bed, "Talking with that handsome man made me open my eyes to so much more. Aside from the obvious things like my father still being a prick, it's good to know I have a place I can go to at any point. Though hopefully at some point, one of my stays will end with Spyro knocking me up~."

"Amara," Axel growled, still not appreciative on how she felt towards another man.

"For the love of all that is Ancestors and holy, stop talking about that psychotic piece of shit," Celina tried her best not to throw up, "You say you want to know more about me, yet all you've done is talk, and ramble, and trial off because Spyro's this or, Spyro's that or, this is how big I think Spyro is."

Axel shoved his forehead right into the edges of the bed, whereas Amara was blushing and giggling so freely, "Because these kinds of questions need to be known! It's called science. And I don't really see a problem with some extra fun, Axel. He doesn't have to hit me from behind, so would you agree to at least me blowing him?"

"NO!" Axel jumped in frustration, "You're not having a threesome, I'm not going to be apart of that, and you thinking about having sex with Spyro when we're together now I thought would end!" He needed time to vent, and now that no one was around that he cared if heard, it was his time, "Amara, I love you, but I don't want to have my heart broken if Spyro's everything and better. Do you know how awkward it would be if you told me Spyro felt better? Or if you moaned his name instead of mine? Or to think your pleasure is because of thoughts where he's banging you and not me?"

"Sooooo glad I gave up on this complicated and over used meaning of love," Celina counted herself lucky, "Axel, you need to just give up. This relationship clearly isn't working out, and from what I've heard, life has only gone downhill for you. That was a nice house you had. Shame you're now living at a location to where many use those sheets and leave. Of course, I'm talking about the stains they can't clean afterwards."

"You've never seen my house so how would you know?"

"Pffft," Some spit was thrown his way, "Bitch, the amount of times I broke into your house."

"You broke into my home?!" He felt like this was a crossed line, "Yours is far better than anything my paychecks could ever allow even after death!" Gasping as he realized now, the culprit to his missing house items were found, "So it was you! But now my question is, why did you break into my house and steal my liquor?! I was having a shit day and you decided to make it worse by raiding my pantry?! YOU EVEN TOOK MY DAMN HONEY BUN!"

"Act poor to live rich. I knew what I had, but living dangerous is just fun for me. Plus, hehe... I knew exactly the day you were having, so I thought what better way to mess with you than to mess with you mentally. The look on your face when you saw your shit was gone, I laughed and I laughed and I laughed... all while taking a fat sip of that golden brown west coast liquor. Shit, was, as fantastic as it was expensive... for you of course."

Axel already didn't want to wake at all today, and now after hearing this, he was about done. Putting the package down to the floor, he was ready to turn and leave. But seeing the look on his face, and the emotional stress he had undertaken; some of which she was there for, Amara stopped her lover, "Axel, wait!" He stood there, half turned but listening to reason, "Please... come lay next to me..." Her wing rasied, and he took notice to which she did the same, "I'm sorry that things aren't going as smoothly as they should, but I promise Spyro hasn't been the only thing me and Celina have talked about."

"How's that supposed to make me feel better?" He turned back which was a good sign, but not for the right reason.

"Look, worse comes to worse, I kill her father," The shadow female was quick, and where Axel was stunned, Amara had no response, "We can either pin the death on an escaped prisoner, or me. I thought it'd be best to pin the death on Spyro and watch the two cities fight but... unfortunately..." Celina had reasons to fear, "Even for someone like me... I know Spyro would melt this city to the ground... ...I do enjoy the thrill of battle... ...but to think of this city up in flames... him in his dark form just killing people before looking over to me; surrounded by fire and blood..." She tried her best to stay strong, though it was mostly all for not considering how severe the idea was, "I should've killed him when I had the chance. Granted, if ever given the chance, seeing his stupid purple face again will make me act out of blood."

Axel was surprised to see Celina open up so freely like that. She's always said and feared that others would use her emotions against her. Why would she openly say this, and shiver over it; exposing that, how she felt, was genuine? Keeping to his thoughts not long after, he still got the conversation back on track, "Listen, Amara, I can't..."

"Axel, I'm serious!" Amara showed true concern over his mental wellbeing, and rather continue her rant on Spyro, she knew a breather was needed, "Look... obviously I do love Spyro, and if given the chance, I would... I... ...I would at least kiss him! French style, of course!" This helped very little, however her denial of sex was a good start, "But I love you, Axel! And... well... I tried my best to help you all that I could. Which is why I paid for everything while you were at the hotel!"

A little stunned to hear this, it made sense to him after, "Wait, so then... the meals... the reason no one was around me..."

"I made sure to make your accommodations more... private," She revealed what she had done, "I made sure everything you ate was prepaid so you could get as much as you wanted. I also made sure to pay the maid there extra so she'd fully stock your fridge with expensive drinks and meals. Also taking into account lousy and or annoying people, I made sure to purchase the entire wing to which you were staying: buildings A to B, or the left side of the complex," Hearing all that she had done helped make his heart flutter, seeing now just how much she truly cared, "All the rooms there you can use at your own expense..." A tear almost formed to her eye, "...I... ...felt horrible after hearing what had happened... ...how you were basically homeless because of me... ...so I... ...I made sure to make you a new home... at least... for now I hope."

This was a rather nice sigh of relief for him to hear, knowing now that it wasn't all a coincidence and someone really was taking care of him. Just this little bit of information alone made him smile now, but Amara felt like doing more. Her jaw rested down onto the bed, lining up her snout with his. The bed was rather high from the ground, so it took her laying completely to be lined up with his face. Her smile helped warm his heart, and knowing what she was after, Axel growled in not wanting to show that her spell was working. Wagging her tail a little, she made her smooth advancement, "You know, Celina was right about one thing. Those hotels are usually meant for one night stands, so what do you say me and you have a little fun tonight~?" A growl once again escaped his lips, denying nothing as he would've rather enjoyed such an idea, "Come on, Axel... ...just me and you all to ourselves. I'm sure in eight or nine months when our hatchling does arrive, by then, this whole situation will blow over and we'll be together. And while the situation is blowing over, what do you say I blow you over... this bed~?"

His face couldn't help but beat himself red to the core. It was an exciting thought, something he knew he couldn't speak on as his mouth would water, and surely acceptance and need would take over. But where he tried to deny by shaking his head, Amara saw otherwise, "Come on, Axel... you can't deny your needs, your wants, your... desire to fill~. Where your head shakes no, something else bobbles yes~. And that something has to do with that third arm you got twitching down there~."

Like shattered glass, his mind completely broke down. Taking a quick peek down before immediately covering himself up with both his wings curving over his front, the way his scales showed red, it was hard to distinguish himself from a fire dragon. And similar to a fire dragon, the flames he spat contradicted his own abilities, "AMARA!"

Where Amara giggled in glee, Celina laid her head to an open paw with her elbow to the bed; sighing in disgust for this to be happening right in front of her, "Can you not pop one in front of me. Disgusting ass males."

"Why are you even here?!" It was a question he had been meaning to ask, "You do realize you're falling behind on the leaderboards, right? Ever since we went to Warfang, you've seemingly been slacking. You're two hundred points behind Atlas now, and that lead for him will only continue."

"Wow, didn't realize your brain worked. Thought all functions were focused on bodily hormones," She cared little for what he had to say, but she wasn't about to let Axel seem powerful or smart in what he was speaking on, "I'm annoyed as shit, alright? I also don't give a shit. If need be, I'll simply take my chances killing myself."

"You'll really take on a suicide mission? To prove what? And to who?"

"To myself!" Teeth were shown, "I'll prove that a female can do just as much if not more than some male! Atlas is a pussy! He talks a big game, but when a real challenge is thrown his way, he runs: tail between his legs crying for mommy and daddy! And even if I were to die, who'd care then? Either I fail and not have any memory or recollection of my failures and finally end this miserable life... ...or... ...I somehow succeed, and rub Atlas's stupid fat face in it."

"Okay, but let's say you did somehow make it out on a solo suicide mission. For one, five hundred points may be a lot, but the time it would take you to recover, Atlas would already have lead; and a good one at that. Also, do you really think Atlas wouldn't try to kill you, or even have someone cut your life support?" Celina knew the kind of guy Atlas was, though that went double for Axel, knowing all about what happens in the city, "The guy in third place didn't just disappear. Atlas feared him, and with enough waiting, the third place guy went on a suicide mission. He succeeded, but still to this day, no one knows how his hospital room blew up. But let's be honest... ...we all know what happened."

"So then what do you think I should do?!"

"I think you should get some help, considering Atlas has secretly been using a group, too."

"And who could or would ever think teaming up with me would be a good idea?! Everyone here fears me, and those I know would try and talk me out of it-WHEN THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT!"

"You could always ask the most powerful dragon in the universe."

"And who would that be?!" Axel rasied a brow to her asking, and after some time of it processing through her mind, a blush showed, as did teeth, "No... NO! I would rather suffer through all matters of hell and earth! I'd rather shave each of my scales off individually with a thorn while melting in a pit of boiling lava than to ever ask that stupid purple son of a bitch!" The thought of Spyro now aggravated her to no end, thinking about all that had happened the day the group went to Warfang, "I'm sick of hearing his shit! His smile haunts me, his power scares me, the hidden abilities he has... ...the power to put people into comas to which only he'd be able to wake them from!"

Axel saw this as a beneficial factor, "Sounds like he'd be the perfect guy to help you on this suicide mission than. Easy clean up means no recovery, and you'll be ready and kicking for another mission to which Atlas would never be able to recover from in the amount of time it took you."

"I would never trust that prick with my life! If I were dying, I'd rather kill myself than to have him help me!" Thinking about how this whole mission would play out in her mind both with and without Spyro, it was a nightmare to her either way, "I never should've met him... I... ...I should've stayed far away when I had the chance! Because now... ...even as much as I don't want anything to deal with the lives of others... ...the idea of killing helping me smile... ...why do I feel the need to talk to him again?"

He hadn't seen much or knew anything about Celina, aside from a baseline to what information he's acquired over the years. Though hearing her open up in the way she was, and even noticing the surprised look on Amara's face, this was like a whole different person than who she used to be. Feeling this was a perfect transition to another conversation, Axel sighed in having to bring this up, "Well... speaking of..." He hesitated for some reason, and where Amara worried, she did more so once he looked to her, "Amara, I... ...you love me... ...right?"

She sighed to hear him questioning their love for one another. Not a huge surprise considering what she's done, however, Amara knew Axel well enough to change how he felt, "Look, Axel... ...I may never have sex with Spyro, which is unfortunate, but... ...at the very least-just the least of least of the least... ...would you let me kiss his lips?" She backed in fear for what he might say, "Or at least his cheek? I mean... ...I would also suffice seeing his manhood, but..."

"Not... helping," Axel growled.

"MY POINT!" Her head raised high before plopping back down to the bed to line up with the shadow dragon's face, "I love you, Axel... ...and here soon, hopefully, I'll take a job as a carpenter just for you," He rasied a brow to her saying, not realizing at first her true intentions, "Once you move in, the amount of morning wood I'll have to take care of will keep me busy~" This perfectly helped Axel cheer up with a wide smile and a blush; though for Celina, she sighed rather heavily, "I say that I love Spyro, or that, I want to mate with him, and while that's all true... ...I would never do anything to hurt you... ...and after that day... ...when you told me of the possibility that you wouldn't return to the City... ...I... ...I realized that feeling... ...the feeling of not knowing how good you had it until that something left."

The smile Axel had disappeared to see her frown; to hear her saying, and at just how destroyed she was for that time. He didn't want to see this suffering continue, so a much needed and long awaited move was put into action. Taking a step forward and unable to drop his paw for a second, it hung to the air, nearly curled before being placed on the bed next to her. Touching the front of his lips against Amara's, her eyes widened for a second. But after a bit, her eyes closed along with his. Rather the kiss staying to the front, the two indulged more on mouth to mouth, cuffing their lips over the other's. Small, tamed, and gentle smacks escaped their loving embrace of lips. Short, sweat, and comfortable all around, the two backed with plenty of dismay. Where the two looked to one another with lust, Celina tried her best not to vomit at their smiles that showed now after that little engagement. Now feeling much more euphoria after the love that clearly was felt to both their hearts and souls, Axel took his chances to continue, "I feel much better now to tell you the news..." She had wondered what it was; Celina the same, though she tried not to show it, "We, as you saw, have a package," Picking the box of cardboard up from off the floor, he raised it up to chest level before sitting the bottom down onto the bed, "This... package... is from none-other than... Spyro himself."

"REALLY!" Jumping up to all fours and clapping her paws together, the attention towards anything around Amara was all but gone; focusing her soul to this box, "Open it-open it-open it! I want to see what he sent us!"

Axel was now completely unsure if showing her the contents on the inside of said box would make her forget what the two had just discussed. Her joy needed to leave her for a second, taking quick notice to the frown Axel had. She stopped, took a second to realize what she had done, and with now knowing where she was wrong, a correction was swift, "Ahem!" Sitting straight up and tall, her paw rested to her chest; speaking on the future of these developments, "What I meant to say was... ...I must see what it is that the dragon has sent. It is of the utmost importance that we make peace with our neighboring cities; and with one that holds a very powerful purple dragon, we need not put our lives, or the lives of civilians, at risk."

Axel had lost track of what she was saying. His anger was quick to leave the moment Amara sat tall. The sunlight from the windows ahead clearly showed her fur-like white coloring. The smoothness that the light bounced off of, the flexibility to which her body moved with a gentle paw to her chest; Axel's heart raced, and where his wings dropped, it uncovered how he felt. Seeing him out in the open once again made Amara a little more flirty, giggling in a red faced showing, "You know, Axel... ...looking at that makes me think of Excalibur... ...because once you put your sword in my entrance, just like the stone, I'll never let go~."

"Wh... what...?" Breaking from the trance he had over her beauty, he looked down to notice his exposure, and was quick to cover back up.

"Holy Ancestors, you're depressing," Celina shuck her head, showing no blush or emotion to what was happening.

Axel wanted to say something so badly, but with his already embarrassed image being talked about a second time now, he thought it be best to just shut his mouth. Though after a growl of correction, a sigh was taken by the shadow dragon, trying his best to get back on track, "Anyway, as you can see, the package is rather small. We checked to make sure it was legit. However, we did find some noticeable signs that it could be a fake."

"A fake?" Amara growled to hear someone impersonating her mate, "Who'd dare? And what makes you believe this?"

Wasting no more time; the tape that covered the top of the box, Axel used a claw to cut through the top. Moving his claw to the sides of the box, a small slit was needed here too; cutting off the remaining hold this sticky strip gave. Amara was quick to look, and where Celina tried not to show how much she actually cared, a peak was still given over to the opening. Reaching one paw into the brown cardboard while using another to grab hold of the box, he pulled something out. Now that the object had been safely extracted, his other paw dropped the box down to the floor as gently as possible. Looking to what it was that Axel held to his paws, Amara and Celina were quick to notice the small notebook. It was very thin and light; green in color and a small strap to the far right of the book itself. The strapped seemed to be used as a way of locking the notebook closed. Showing the two the small item, he explained it further, "We picked up this notebook from one of our warehouses. Someone said that this was dropped off by none other than Spyro himself, though it was very dark at the time, so no one could confirm," Opening up the notebook and flipping through the pages, more context was given, "When opening the notebook, there's not much on any of these pages. However," Flipping through enough times till he got to nearly the back of the notebook, the two noticed very small letters that couldn't be made out as they were too far away, "When turning to the near back of this little booklet, there's writing with the same font type that Spyro uses."

"Ahem," Amara stayed calm, "May I... partake a read?" Axel was hesitant at first, but once again, after another sigh, he trusted her enough and handed it over, "Thank you, my love."

She made sure to include that for a heartfelt warmth to his body. The two were clearly not at their best after what yesterday had in store, but they still found time and joy in being with one another. A break was clearly needed, and both saw this as an opportunity for a nice getaway. At first, Amara had plans to read this silently. But where curiosity killed the cat, Celina wanted in on the gossip, "F it, I'll bite. What the hell did he put?"

"Well, like I said, the tone of the letter, or rather the bumps in the lines lead us to believe it's a fake," Going back to what he had said earlier, there were obvious signs of this being a false letter, "Spyro wrote with elegance. Whoever wrote this seemed like they were in a hurry, or rather, couldn't control themselves when writing: almost like they were crying," This confused the other two, though Amara had taken quick notice to the letters not lining up perfectly to the blue lines on the page compared to Spyro's handwriting, "So, when reading, Amara, take it with a grain of salt."

"But I mean... ...even if it's not Spyro... do you... ...want to make a visit?" She was hesitant to ask, and immediately, worry showed to his eyes, "Not because I want to bang Spyro or anything! I just... ...I know it's been difficult on you, Axel... ...and I feel like I should be doing better. Hopefully the girls there can help me see something that I'm not, like how Spyro did. And maybe, the guys can help you see something too... ...like the brighter side of life."

"To be honest... ...I... ...actually wouldn't mind seeing that family again," His honesty made tears show to his own eyes, clearly being in far more pain than what he let off, "I know it's weird to want to basically live in someone else's home... though that building was made to house many more dragons, I just... ...all I want to do is lie down... ...to be able to lie down with you and I guess... ...hear people talk..." His mind drifted to what he had in the past, and these thoughts only pained him more, "It makes me think back to when I was with my family... ...my company. They usually stayed up late nights; by the fire, cooking up those damn MREs... ...I grew attached to having others talk... ...like I was being watched over no matter what... ...But now being home alone... ...not hearing their voices makes me think I'm dead... ...both inside... ...and out."

"So is that why you have a drinking problem?" Celina was able to connect the two, "You always need alcohol to bring yourself down before you go to bed?"

"And then I wake up, throw it up, and almost always wake up later with a hangover... ...it takes me a while to get ready in the morning because of this..."

"ALRIGHT, ENOUGH!" Amara was tried of hearing the pain he was in, and where tears showed for him, the same showed in her eyes as well, "I don't care what plans you had for today, we're visiting Spyro either way! And if we somehow end up spending the night there, then oh well!" Axel was surprised to see her stand in such support, but it was very much welcomed, "To hell with what others think, or what my father thinks... ...I saw how destroyed you were for my father saying no to us moving in together... ...and to have to hear that things have only gotten worse for you... ...to know I'm the cause of some of that stress... ...I need to make things up to you!"

It truly sounded like the perfect escape for them. No more responsibilities, no more worries, no more separation. The two thought heavily on it, and the longer they waited, the more time that went by where they could've been using this time to ready their trip. Amara was quick to notice it, so she hurried through this note now, showing her love was directed to Axel for once and not Spyro, "I'll read this real quick. Once that's done, we shall ready for our trip out. Celina, will you be joining us?"

"As much as I hate that stupid bitch... ...and everything about him gives me nightmares,' Celina sighed, womanly enough to admit how she felt, "A get away would be very welcomed, even with how horrible our first trip was there. Also, it'd be rather fun to see just how many people I can piss off. Makes me wonder if I could start a fight or two."

"No. No fighting. And definitely no repeating history," Wanting this trip to be the best it could be for her lover, Amara took a stance, "We're there to breathe. We all need time to de-stress, and like it or not, we all know... I... know... not to piss Spyro off or to ever threaten his family again. Even after all I had done, he showed such... ...remorse... to me... ...to all of us."

"Hehehe... the idea of seeing Spyro again already makes me smile," Amara was glad to hear Axel say this, seeing it in his eyes how much taking this trip back would mean to him, "I'm just... ...a little afraid of how they'll see us when we go back. You don't think they'll... deny our feelings to want to join in on conversation now, do you? You don't think... ...in reality, all we did was make more enemies... ...and Spyro's smile was all some... ...ploy...?"

"It's a very high possibility," Dusting it off her shoulders while making him fear for his life and sanity, Celina had no care in scaring people like this, "You messed him up mentally, as so with the family. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been plotting against you, so on your next visit, he'll take you down," Wanting to really drill this nightmare into his mind, her head moved closer to him, allowing her voice to slip through his scales more easily, "What better way to take over the City than to have you love Amara? With the attachment you two share, he'll hold you hostage and force Amara to burn this city to the ground. He doesn't kill, but what blood would be on his paws when others would do his dirty work? You're nothing to him, Axel... you're nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game."

"CELINA!"

Her words were digging deep. Amara saw this and forced her voice out to put a stop to it. The damage, unfortunately, was forever done now. Axel couldn't help but shiver in fear instead of hope for their arrival. Nothing seemed joyful anymore, and with a successful teardown under Celina's belt, she had already won, so there was no need for her to continue. Teeth were very much shown to Celina after this one, and from what Axel's already said on what he was going through, Amara knew she needed to step it up, "Axel, you and I both know that's not true, and I will prove that once we get there," Axel didn't respond, but rather kept his head low in the looks of melted ice cream, "It'll be okay... ...I promise."

Seeing him destroyed after what Celina had said made Amara want to rush now. Damnit, Celina. Why'd you have to go and say something like that?! Now more than ever, he needs the trip or else his mind may shutdown from being so overworked and stressed! The thought wasn't one she took lightly; seriously considering the idea of what would happen to Axel if this anxiety of his kept building. Focusing back to the little booklet, her eyes directed to the words, and from being previously discussed, Amara read out loud, "'I hope this message finds you well. I was successful in making contact with the group known as the Rebels. Serena and Ava proved to be a little too slippery, though with enough information that I gathered over a number of sources, including the mother herself; you have the father, or rather, her mate, locked in a prison. I believe using him as bait to lure out the others would be a perfect idea. If you may, could you bring him to Warfang on the inside near the two massive front doors. From there, we can easily apprehend the group and end this scuffle once and for all. Sincerely, Spyro.'"

After reading the note, what the writing portrayed did seem rather off. The good news for her was the invite to which they were glad to take. Amara was already stood, ready to leave at this very second, "I guess this works out perfectly than," She tried to smile, seeing plenty of light from this situation, "Axel, for such a dangerous criminal like Serena's mate, I will need you at my side at all times," It helped his head raise to hear what she was saying, "I'll need an escort everywhere I go today out of fear for my life and this letter. My father shall have no say considering I choose whom I wish to protect me," Her word choice pushed Axel to finally smile again, and for a reason unknowing to hear, the amount of heat and joy she felt from her success was unlike any other, "I made you a promise, Axel... ...and I will keep it... ...just like the promise I made to do everything in my power to keep you safe."

"I... ...I just have to hope... ...hope that Spyro continues to be this ray of sunshine..." Fearing for what could be next, none of his hate or anguish was without love, or hope.,

---

"Who the hell do I trust?! And for what I've done, does that make me any better than my opponent? Does this meet up prove history is only meant to repeat itself, and will I fail where so many others have tried? Does it matter if I even do anything at all?" Spyro's mind raced, unable to be kept to just himself alone. He laid to the middle of darkness, having a light of some kind shining over and around him to give a view to what he was looking at. His paws were shown, his heartbeats were felt, and the breaths he took weren't kept gently. Out from the darkness walked two shadow dragons from behind: Kettu to his left and Xvar to his right. With the two at his side, the purple dragon's mind felt somewhat eased, but that didn't stop him from feeling empty inside, "There were times where my words calmed you two, where I felt like I was getting somewhere in earning your trusts. But why does it feel like every step forward is another step back?" For now, the two sat next to him, allowing this form of release in his anger and confusion, "I... I don't feel like I'll accomplish anything today. Amara was dense and we made no progress there. Serena I'm still unsure of, and when it comes to A.D.O., who am I to trust when even those close to this, organization, can't even trust themselves?! Serena doesn't trust the Rebels, the City Of Prosperity seems corrupt inside and out, and for Kayla, she doesn't even know what to think of anymore!" This anger caused him to stand, unable to lay there for what he was feeling. The more he thought on it, the more his head throbbed out of confusion and anxiety. With nothing to do aside from speaking his mind, he continued to do so, "What if... what if the Dark Master is right about me? What if I'm just... some weapon meant to make others kneel to order rather than to enforce morally right laws...?"

"You're really going to let the Dark Master of all people get into your head?" Kettu shuck his head to this, knowing what kind of dark path it would lead him down, "Spyro, governing laws is all you've shown us. Moral rights beats injustice, and where you may see yourself as evil, plenty see you as a hero."

"That's not what I meant," Spyro didn't mean to come off so strong, but with the aggravated feelings he had, it scared him to think he was changing, "You two dug through my mind the day we first met... I felt it... ...I felt it the day after, too. You all saw the day I did something for myself... the day I made a wish to see what powers I may possess. I... went mad... ...I... I attacked Ignitus, nearly killed him-nearly killed Cynder!" Ever since that day, his mind wouldn't let go of what had happened. It ate at him like the plaque, and no amount of breathing or time away would fix what he had done. He knew this, he felt it, and it was another reason he believed himself to be a threat, "I'm bringing everyone here and risking their lives. Their deaths would be on my paws if anything were to happen. I'm trying at all possible to be of use to everyone I can but... ...I feel... ...afraid. I'm afraid to be weak, but I'm afraid to be strong: afraid to become that monster that I once was." Talking about his problems usually would've helped. In this case however, tears formed in anguish: fear becoming more prominent in his every day living.

"I would do anything to protect those that I love... to protect you two... ...but what if that makes me the villain. What if... in order to cure the corruption in this world, I have to understand all of it. I have to take on the pain of everyone that lives, and die with their nightmares... ...and yet... ...would dying make the world a better place? Is the world what it is now... ...because of me... ...a world still dominated by fear and other monsters...? Am I... one of those monsters...?"

Kettu and Xvar didn't want to admit it, but the downed state Spyro was in made the two feel better. Seeing him weak and understanding was a breath of fresh air for them. They had the idea that they were talking to someone who could be reasoned with: someone who understood pain and what it does to others. The two looked to one other, saying no words other than acknowledging that the two felt the same. Their wings draped to his back over hopes of helping, and this time around, Xvar wanted to be the one to speak. Their actions proved extremely helpful, noticing Spyro backing up to feel more of their warmth. Another reason was given to them to trust who they were with, and it gave Xvar more of a reason to help what felt like a dying brother, "Spyro..."

"Enough of this shit!" Out from the cold black darkness of his mind, Spyro, same for Kettu and Xvar, rasied their heads high to hear someone else with them. It was such a shock and sudden yell that the hearts of the three kicked suddenly and aggressively. It was a feeling of being toned down; laying by yourself or with friends and thinking you were all alone. Hearing this voice wasn't a great feeling to any of them, scaring each the same in such a way that invoked an attack response, more so fight or flight. Their bodies jumped from the beat of their hearts, their breaths taking on more of a faster pace, and with the three now standing in fighting positions, they were ready for who ever this was. Spyro couldn't understand it, but he had heard this voice before. It wasn't that of a male like the Dark Master, rather, it was feminine. A paw stepped out from the darkness that surrounded them, and with squinted eyes, they all wondered who it could be. Stepping out now into this light bubble that formed around the others, the three all gave wide eyes, gasping to see who it was. With a red colored underbelly, a distinguished color of a near grayish-black, and emerald green eyes, no one expected to have a visitor, especially not Spyro when it came to his own mind. Cynder now revealed herself completely to the two. She wasn't happy in the slightest to see the three, which was off putting for them.

"Ke... ke... Kettu... Xv... Xvar..." Spyro couldn't find the words to say anything, "Why... h... how is... ...is she...?" Neither Kettu nor Xvar could answer this question. It wasn't like they were in a dream, so there shouldn't be a way for her to even be here. This such sight baffled the two Dark Dragons, and this was the same for Spyro. Showing the shine of her tail blade, Cynder was ready for what ever was to happen, "Come on then! You want to fight?!" Taking more steps towards the three, she inspected her surroundings, afraid even herself for what was to come her way, "Let me guess... you're crying because I killed someone? Or because the Dark Master killed someone? You think I'm a monster now and you're out for revenge, aren't you?!" She was pissed, though even with her aggression showing, shines of tears started to form within her eyes, "Why bring Kettu and Xvar into this, huh?! What do they have to do with this nightmare?!" Rather unfortunate timing on Spyro's part. Rather him being able to say something, his lips were sealed out of a pure disconnect from what was or wasn't reality. Since neither of the three could do anything, her approach continued. Stood to his front now, her blade curved across his neck. Where he dropped sweat out of confusion and the desperate need to speak, Cynder's was out of fear for what ever was next, "Go ahead and try something! Turn into the Dark Master for all I care! But when I wake up in a pool of tears for this nightmare, you better be damn lucky I don't sic Spyro after you!" She tried to stay strong, though the nightmares she's had before only fueled her adrenaline for what was to come, "What?! Got nothing to say?!" Her heart pounded just as bad as the others. What finally broke the ice for Spyro though was what she had said. The sanity he once had felt all but depleted as he spoke to her in defeat, "You... ...you wouldn't care if I... ...if I turned in someone like... ...the Dark Master...?" Cynder tried her best to keep herself together, knowing this was nothing more than a nightmare and she shouldn't listen to what he was saying, "Cynder... ...I... ...I..."

"Shut up!" Keeping things under control, her blade pushed more forcefully on his neck, "Don't you dare mix my words! I know what this is! This is all just some, NIGHTMARE that I've been pulled in to! You're not a villain, you're not evil, and I won't let me fears control the way I feel about you! This nightmare may try to get me to believe you'll turn on me, that you'll turn over and become what I was. But I know my Spyro... I know the love of my life... ...he promised me we'd be together forever... ...he promised me the life unlike any other..." Clenching her eyes to drop these tears that blurred her vision, she got up close and personal, near nose to nose, "You won't stray me away from him! So go ahead! Lie about who you are! Lie to my face and tell me you're evil! The only thing you're doing is helping me feel more at home; helping my mind ease to know the cuddling me and him will do later... ...to know the feeling of his lips in order to soothe my fallen tears... ...Spyro gives me a reason to smile, gives me a reason to live! And I'll be damned if you try anything to change that!" No one was giving out anything on what was really going on. Spyro wanted to believe this was Kettu and Xvar's doing, but even for them, they weren't this mushy: this in-depth. The two simply stared into the others eyes, awaiting for someone to make a move. But like a connection felt through two bonded souls, it clicked for the both of them once seeing deep into the others eyes. Cynder backed, pushing herself off of him and retracting her tail blade. For Spyro however, he took a step forward to which she was against, "Stop!" He did as he was told and didn't take another step forward, "S... ...Spyro... ...is that... ...is that really... ...is that really you...?" He knew who he was, and where she showed being real first, he had the same question, "I... ...was going to ask the same... ...about you..." Since both were still at a loss to what was happening, Kettu and Xvar included, questions needing answering, and Cynder showed her anger once again, "No... ...no no no, this is fake! There's no way... you're... I'm... how...?"

"Hehe..." Spyro finally found his voice and gave a chuckle, "I'm not entirely sure either. I... really have no idea how you're... well... in my head. And it's not like this is the workings of the power Ignitus gave me, considering you're in my nightmare instead of the other way around." Cynder had to take two after hearing this, "Wait... what...?" After doing some behind the scenes digging, Xvar and Kettu's eyes grew wide, letting off a gasp even to which the other two were quick to take notice and fear over. They were in such shock and surprise that the two spoke in unison for a second, "Spyro, Cynder, you two...!" Both stopped for a second, and since Kettu's already had his time to talk, Xvar wanted to take over, "Ahem... Spyro... that's, really, Cynder," Spyro was just as shocked as Cynder to hear this, and with the context he gave, there was even more room for suprise, "Her darkness is swirling around in your mind right now. I'm guessing with the anger, confusion, and all around fear you were feeling, her darkness and abilities reacted to yours. Like predator biting down on prey, her darkness took a hold over yours, connecting it together to experience the same neurological messages your body is sending. It's what we do to talk with you in your mind, only now, she's also connected the same way we are."

"Like predator biting down on prey..." This made Spyro laugh, "Damn, Cynder. Even in my mind, you still find ways to dominate me." She blushed to hear him say, though definitely wasn't against it. After what Xvar had said, this made her worry skyrocket, "Anger... confusion, and fear?! Last night, we went to bed rather gently. Why have you been hiding this from me? I know you said you were worried before but... why lie before we went to bed?" Spyro rubbed his arm to this, knowing he shouldn't have held the truth back from her, "I... ...I don't know... ...I want to take on the world so others may prosper but..."

"But in doing so, you're pushing me away!" Cynder's teeth showed to this, "Maybe my soft hearted nature has rubbed off on you, so I feel like I need to take a page from Flair's book and put you back in line," Now without fear to what was happening, she approached him again, and just the same as before, her blade swung around and connected to his neck, "Don't you dare lie to me ever again, understand?! After what happened with my fear; the way it helped you, I stayed up a while after trying to figure out how to recreate that, and where I was only able to control a small area, I still slaved away because I wanted to be a better mate to you!" She slipped up, and where he gave wide eyes, she didn't realize it and continued as normal, "You don't understand just how frustrated I am too! To know my fear could extinguish your pain, to know my poison can control you when you can't yourself, or with my shadow to send us new places and to experience new things together. I have the power to do these things, but because I can't... I watch you struggle... ...I watch from the sidelines, sitting on my ass while be worthless to you; worthless in ways to where I see what you're going, but I can't do anything about it... ...it's... ...it's..." Slapping her paw down to the ground, she had enough, "IT'S DEMORALIZING! To know what me and you use to be; the bad asses we were taking on the world together! I want to be by your side again and fight your pain-RATHER THAN TO SIT BY AND BECOME WORTHLESS TO YOU! I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL ALONE-UMPH!"

Spyro couldn't handle her helpful words any longer. Holding both paws to her cheeks, his lips connected to her, tongue and all. It riled up her mind in pure pleasure to feel him push against her own scales. Her blade was there, right to his neck, but he trusted no force was actually being applied. Because there wasn't any, he was free to do as he pleased. Knowing of the ensuing war, the two closed their eyes to focus on the battle within their minds. His lips danced around hers, and where she tried to recover, fighting back with the use of her own tongue, he showed his dominance. She had lost this battle rather quickly, moving her blade from his neck and resting her upper body fully to his chest. Her moans ignited more fuel for his love over her, and the same went in vice-versa. It was the perfect moment for both, each wanting to have had the same love secession for a while now. Drool made its way past their lips, and as if the sexual tension wasn't already there, Spyro's paws moved down to grab both sides of her ass. He squeezed and moved her forward, begging for more. Her arms wrapped to the back of his neck, allowing them to move closer together. In a blitz of love, nothing stopped the two from doing as they pleased. However, as the kiss went on, they felt a weight of something dragging them down. Like a bright light shining to their eyes even as they stayed clamped shut, their visions blurred, and their bodies were consumed in a new feeling.

"Should we wake them?"

Laid down off to the right side of the bed, Malefor's body cushioned flat to the right of Carith, whereas for Spyro and Cynder's sleeping bodies, the purple dragon laid closest to the center, and the black dragoness to his right. After having seen them stir for a while now, the two were at the ready to do something. It didn't help that the light was shining directly in their eyes, so they knew something needed to be done. Carith was the one who decided to stand up, afraid of a nightmare stirring the already stressed purple dragon, and in return doing the same to his lover. As her body stood over Malefor's, half over and half still waiting to make its way, she was stopped by him, "Carith, wait!"

"What?" She stopped, turning to look down at him staring up at her.

Rolling his claws in a row, a blush showed to his face, and now she was was very curious to know what he was after. His head drifted off, making its way to her backside. Unable to help himself, his vision directed up her leg, to her thighs, and in hopes of getting a peak underneath, his head backed. She growled to see what he was doing. Out of pure anger now, her left leg moved up, almost as if she was allowing the show. Though this didn't prove to be the case. She was simply raising her foot to plant it down onto his face. Not much pressure was applied, but it was enough to bury his head into the cushion below.

"You're a real son of a bitch, you know that?" Carith was beyond upset for what he was doing, "You have the great idea to eye bang me, but not to actually take me. I don't appreciate the long game of foreplay, Malefor."

"I was going to give it a lick but, never mind," His voice was mumbled, being held down by Carith's foot.

"Bullshit."

"You always get to look underneath me. What can't I to you?"

"Because I'd actually do something given the chance."

"Honestly, at this point, if you're serious, we could do it now if the two left."

"Stop, lying to me!"

"You want me to roll over and prove you wrong? I got a massive friend who wants to, 'twitch', hello."

Carith nearly bit her nails in anticipation for what she wanted to do. On one hand, she could help the two wake from their stirs, possibly preventing a nightmare. Or, she was able to finally get some from the love of her life. It was a difficult decision, and she needed to make it now, Get laid, or help my friend? Sex, or gratification?! How long would we even go for?! Would they still be asleep?! Knowing at this point she was to lose more than she wanted, her body ignored him for the time being. Though with a step forward, Malefor's tail wrapped to her right leg now, holding her back from helping the two. Her eyes widened to this, looking to her leg first before turning her gaze to his, "Malefor! What the hell are you doing?!"

"Come on, Carith, it's just a little Sun in their eyes. Spyro covers the two with his wing, they have a nice movement, and it works out for everyone. Meanwhile, me and you can get busy," Malefor made his effort, but it pissed her off to no end knowing if they had just had more privacy elsewhere, she wouldn't be holding back, "I may not be single thanks to you, but I'm very much-so ready to mingle. I don't want to be the last in the family to lose their virginity after all."

"Damn it, Malefor! Of all times to do this, you want to do it now?! When we can't!"

"You know I love you."

"I'm having second thoughts."

"The deal is still up, Carith. Once the Dark Master is dealt with, then we can be free to act as we please. But I can't do that alone. I need Spyro awake to protect me, to protect you, in case something happens," Now backing down on the idea of fun, the grip he had over her back leg was released, and he brought his voice down, "Carith... I'm sorry... ...I know we play a lot but... ...how you feel and your emotions isn't something to joke about. I know how much this means to you which excites me... ...I guess for now I'm just, laying bread crumbs of hope before leading up to our... inevitable future... together... as mat-"

Malefor stopped upon hearing a rather aggressive growl. The two both heard it, and as their heads snapped over, Cynder's head flung up. A fight had broken out. Spyro's eyes went wide as he woke, attempting to stand as quick as he could. Cynder's attack however was much faster against him, ramming his side like a bull with her head and wings. Carith and Malefor gave wide eyes to this, and though they knew no injury or pain was being caused, it was so sudden. The hit rolled him down onto to his side with a thud to the bed and a growl to his teeth. Jumping over top of him with her top half first before flinging her bottom half, she forced him to roll to his back. With Spyro attempting what looked to be a claw attack; she once again proved her speed, acting out with her wind powers to push his arms. Grabbing a hold of both his wrists, her dominance over him was known. As she shoved both his arms back down to the bed, once again rather forcefully and with near nothing being held back, the two looked into one another's eyes with a mass showing of teeth. They looked ready to dig at each other's throats, and that kind of sight was definitely not something either Malefor or Carith wanted to see. Carith moved off and Malefor was quick to roll over, standing to his fours and at the ready to help either-or. His heart slammed, just the same as Carith's. A battle was to ensue, only not the kind they thought.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" Cynder finally showed a voice; a powerful one to which showed a small form of sadness to it, "I can't keep making things up to you! You save my life, you give me life, and are at the ready every single day to make things better! How the hell do you expect me to give back after all that you've done, HUH?! You want me to kiss you?! Seduce you?! Lick the life out of every scale on your body?!"

"Stop giving me reasons to do the things I do for you then!" Surprisingly, Spyro growled back, and still unsure to what was happening, Malefor and Carith's hearts grew in their beats, "You blame me for the life you have, yet I know I can do better! You give me reasons to do better! I saved your life because I wanted you to be happy; to not fail at the chance to save and be with someone who had nothing! The only thing I want is for you to smile. Why is that so difficult for you to understand?!"

"How am I supposed to smile past my tears?!" Her push against his arms shuck the whole bed, instigating more fear for the two onlookers, "I want to smile, but then I look around at what I have! A big sister who wishes to protect me! Friends who watch after me and whom aren't afraid of who I was and what I did! Others such as Malefor and Carith who want to adopt me! And you... ...the worst of the worst... ...every time I see you, I see hope, joy, fun, and love the size of the universe... ...how the hell am I supposed to give back and smile on what I have when I feel like I don't deserve it!"

"The only thing you're undeserving of is this hate, anger, nightmares, and scars you've taken on throughout the years! You tried to push yourself away from me; thought you were undeserving of my care and the Guardians, to which things only got worse!" He made his stance on what he believed, and he had plenty to back it up, "When you were with us, with me, life couldn't have been any better. But the moment you left, things went to shit. But then when we were reunited again; joined the Guardians in their battle, we put the world back in its place-AND YOU NEED TO SEE THAT!"

"That was your doing, not mine!"

"Cynder! Every where you go, you do good! You're what keeps peace in this world! Whether that be taming me, saving my life, keeping Flair sane, putting the likes of even the Guardians in their place, scaring the life out of even Malefor, and just... SO MUCH MORE! You're the only reason good happens in this world! You breathing a breath of fresh air helps many do the same, your smile helps others smile, and when your tears show, so do the tears of the clouds above."

"Don't speak to me like what I've been doing makes up for what I've done... ... especially to you!" It took a lot to admit this, but it needed to be said, "I had a fear that I didn't want to let show... ...but after hearing what Serena had said, I feared the same when it came to you," Stunned directly to the heart for what she said, hearing she had a fear about him wasn't good news in the slightest, "Look at yourself, then look at me... ...I have the fear that one day, you'll see someone else... ...you'll grow up and realize I'm not the one. Once you find the right girl, you'll dump me, and throw me to the wolves. You'll have Amara dispose of me; have me poisoned and left for dead, or thrown in those prisons for what I did... ...I'll rot away and be forgotten through time... ...So then I'm screwed either way... ...I'll either be betrayed by my own heart... or have the high possibility of being abused, taken advantaged of, or shunned for my actions on who I previously was by being with someone else..."

Now out in the open on her fears, the tears Cynder was shedding weren't fake. Where the fight they had in the beginning seemed to be playful aggressive, the tone of voice the two had, and the way their bodies moved proved to have changed their prospective on where this was going. Rather advance in hopes of helping, Malefor and Carith backed, wanting at all possible to be out of sight. This allowed the two to feel like they were all alone, allowing Spyro and Cynder the time and moment they needed. The two fighting lovebirds had rasied breaths, trying to use this moment of silence to breathe, and to think on what was next. Their minds fought on what was right and what wasn't, though for Spyro's mind, he was able to make sense of it all before her, allowing him the voice, "Cynder..."

"SHUT UP!"

Once again, her paws shoved down on his wrists, shaking the bed and scales of Malefor and Carith. Still unable to tell what was happening, the anxiety of what was next held close to their hearts and minds. Her voice was full of rage and sorrow; almost as though not even she could pinpoint how she was feeling. Tears showed pain, but her flexed muscles took on vexation: more so worry than anything. Spyro kept to his guns on what he wanted to say. His voice stayed tamed, his body never made attempts to break from her hold, and just the same as her, his voice spoke out of gloom, "You're not useless to me, Cynder..." Her teeth gritted to hear this: he knew exactly how she was feeling and what this pain was all about, "Celina and Amara bashed the idea into everyone's head that what you could do, so could others... ...and that's true for just about everything and everyone. However, there's always a difference in what others do."

"That's a lie!" Cynder didn't believe what she could do or what powers she may have were special in anyway, "You and I both know that four is better than one! Why settle for someone like me, when you could have four other girls just the same?! You could have one with fear, one with poison, wind, and shadow, and with how many girls you'd have under your wing; all those you can choose to kiss or flirt with... ...how could I be any better?! How could I do something that others can do four times better?!"

"Because more isn't always better. And to be honest, I'd feel like a real piece of shit if I did go down that route. I'd have to give each their own equal time to feel loved, I'd have to deal with so many more emotions, and it would all feel wrong. I'm not a pimp, nor am I a hustler. I'd rather have one female who's proficient in her four abilities than four who are masters with them."

"But... ...why...? ...Why wouldn't you want an easier life...? Especially after all you've been through...?"

"Taking a step back, I already know why," Returning back to what he had previously discussed, Spyro wanted to give more information to what he meant, "Cynder... you to me; the wondering of why I chose you... ...it all has to do with art," She wondered deeply into what he was trying to get at, and even for Malefor and Carith, those two were very much intrigued, "Art comes in many forms, but everyone has their own art style. Like I said... ...Amara and Celina are right... ...though where many can do things that others can, the way they go about it can have infinite possibilities. You are the perfect form of art to me. Like a paintbrush, you color my scales with your saliva in a way only your artistic work could accomplish. You use gentle strokes when needed, yet hard, aggressive presses to assert dominance and control over your piece. You are the perfect art style... ...the one I love and enjoy with great pleasure just looking at."

The grip around his wrists grew a little tighter. Cynder's head ducked, not wanting to show her tears for what he was saying. She had control over this situation, and she didn't want that to turn around on her. Trying to gain control over her wellbeing, her head showed a gentle shake, dropping the tears from her face and down on to the purple dragon beneath her. Teeth showed now back to him, though this time, they could all see a smile wanting to form, "You're a real pain in the ass, you know that? You're just like how Flair described Cyril: you always nip me in the ass before flying to a safe distance."

"Hehehe... what can I say? I like playing dangerous," Spyro wanted just as much as Cynder to go back to the enjoyment of life without fear, however, he still saw the visible pain she was under and wouldn't rest until she was satisfied, "Look... ...my love... ...I know we will probably come back to this at some point in our lives. Hell, I remember back when you flew away thinking I loved someone else, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding. That day, you asked me what I meant to you, and you said, if I told you that, you'd never doubt me ever again."

"And yet... ...I still put the pressure and anxiety on you that isn't deserved or needed..." She sighed sadly to this.

"My answer will always be the same. I love you, and that won't change," Where he could've stopped there, he did have more to say, "Although..." Her eyes went wide out of a pure whiteness that sunk her heart, scale color, and eyes, afraid of what this could mean, "I would be lying if I didn't say I enjoy the idea of your abilities being more understood. Your poison, fear, shadow, and wind have all proven to benefit me in one way or another. It's honestly my fault and always has been for you not being at your strongest."

"But... that's a trade off. Either I train to gain power and control... ...or I enjoy my time with the girls. Both are... very close to my heart for what I love."

"You could always do both. I'm sure Flair and Claire would be up for a fight or two, and considering the other Guardians need to get back in shape, we could spend a day just beating shit up!" This sounded like a perfect compromise for all Cynder's needs, same went for Spyro, "If it... makes you feel any better, Cynder... ...To feel what your fear can control over me... to have you, invade my thoughts so I may rest but we can still communicate... hearing that you're trying your best to help me by staying up late to control your powers, it's... ...hehehe... ...it's just another reason... why I love you."

The whole situation was somewhat diffused now, going from a tone of confusion and desperation to a more calm, morning type wake up. Cynder's grip over his wrists eased, and with a sigh to help herself come down, she did so with her back. Sitting down on top of him now with her rear planted down a little up from his groin, her innocence showed back, "Such a stupid fear for me to have... ...in reality, they all are. I already scared you once, thinking you'd turn on me and our hatchling if we ever had one like Fabian did to Flair... ...and now... ...this... ...I... ...I'm sorry, Spyro... ...I... ...I don't know why I've been so afraid lately."

"Amara was a real bitch to you. Celina didn't help much either. It also doesn't help that the more women that show, the more you think there's competition. But being completely honest, knowing that we can communicate through our minds is kinda sexy. Makes me want to stick my tongue down your throat like in our little dream."

"That's was fantastic~," She couldn't lie: everything he had done to her in that dreamworld was beyond satisfying.

"Speaking of what we did in that dream... ...what was that about us being mates?"

Her face went red, and immediately, she declined ever saying something like that, "What?! I-I-I have no clue what you mean!"

"'I still slaved away because I wanted to be a better mate to you'?" Where he recalled it clearly, it took Cynder a second; and this was more so thanks to the emotional rollercoaster she had going into that dreamworld, "You seemed very passionate about our love, very passionate about that word. Any idea why your mind said mate instead of lover?"

"I... ...I... ...I..."

Watching her body tremble with sweat dripping from nearly every angle, Spyro felt a rush of pleasure run through him. His face turned red to see her in such a state. She too had a blush to her cheeks, but the innocence of her beautiful nature, the way the sun shined through and showed those lickable scales, and her eyes moving in a sporadic pattern dropped drool from his lips. The heat was already there, and where he would've been able to calm himself, Cynder couldn't. She had forgotten to some degree how it was she was positioned. Instead of moving forward or standing up, her rear moved back. The sliding motion made it past his stomach, sliding the middle section of her hind leg area past Spyro's groin. Feeling her fleshy being move past, and in a way massage such a sensitive yet pleasing area, he had no control over his voice. It wasn't much his fault. Having the idea of Cynder in his mind, on top of the feeling of having her rolling those perfectly defined hips to move her posterior against this area, the pleasure was all too much, "Ah~! Cynder~!"

Malefor and Carith both backed to hear the rather deep enjoyment Spyro had even if he didn't wish to show it. It was an amazing feeling for him, and where his teeth held strong, so did his body, preventing something from happening. Cynder jumped hearing such a pleased and pleasured moan. She had never heard him make such a noise before even at their most wild of times. Her heart skipped too, feeling heat all throughout now that burned for a sensation to continue. The heat wouldn't leave her body no matter what else she thought about. Like molten lava, the need and fire nearly consumed her every being, desperate to do what she had done once again. Hearing his enjoyment made her blush. Obviously not as bad as Spyro was, but it was clear. The blush on Cynder's face didn't help matters. In fact, it only made things worse for Spyro. He tried with all his might to keep his hormones under control. But this adult figure even as a teen; her curvy features, that cool crisp blush. He saw her want to continue, and he tried his best to laugh it off, "Hehe... That's a, uh... really sensitive area, Cynder," Trying to change the subject entirely, he had other plans, "What do you say we head to the Chambers to meet everyone before the others arrive?"

In one ear and out the other, only slight information was picked up from what he had said. Cynder couldn't tell herself not to. Something within wanted to continue; the feeling she had gotten, and the one she gave to whom she loved felt wondrous, "Do you not wish for me to... continue?" Lust was heavily influenced in her voice and word choice, and worst of all, Spyro could control nothing at this point, considering the heat he now felt coming from her, "You sounded like you were... enjoying yourself. Maybe... ...maybe it would be... beneficial, to you, if I continued?"

He swallowed hard, afraid of where this was to go. But of course, deep down, even he couldn't lie: given the opportunity and under better circumstances, his body told himself he would've enjoyed every second of what was happening. However, for now at the very least, he knew bringing this heat of hers down would get her mind straight, "Well, Cynder, you see... ...that kind of thing... this, thing... The movements that you're doing are more so for... mating purposes, or rather to arouse. Of course it felt good but that's because your um... well, your... love... is caressing my own."

She was in the perfect position for something more to happen. With her sitting figure over the top of his back laying one, her chest and underbelly was all shown to him, as was his to her. Feeling that burning feeling to continue, she couldn't help herself. The need to dominate became too much for her to handle. Her paw raised from the bed. Gravitating it up and placing it over the side of Spyro's face, she put pressure down on his left cheek. His head was forced into laying down sideways, though he still tried to make eye contact with her. With his head pushed to the bed, and her eyes directing down to the lower connection the two had, Cynder's gaze drew red flags. He knew exactly what she was planning to do. She didn't take all control away from him, but instead kept the feeling of control over what was happening. If needed be, the driver seat for who was to have fun with who, and the choice of the dominant one on top was all but a choice. The prey to the bottom just needed to become predator. Spyro started to sweat now, seeing the lust in her eyes, and the need to continue. She showed plenty of sweat too, though in both cases, the sight and feeling of wet scales and shines to their bodies drove each other to new heights in love. It made the feeling of trying to hold himself back that much more difficult. Her body felt slick to his groin, and it excited him to feel such moist, near slimy heat. Nervously trying his best to calm her, his words were nearly useless, "Cynder, you need to breathe... ...I know what you're thinking, but this is something you have to control. It's becoming... increasingly hard the longer you continue this seduction."

"Increasingly hard~?" She wasn't herself, and in a way, she didn't much mind it, "Do you mean your~..."

"No!" He was quick to correct himself, "I meant hard as in the ability the control myself!"

"Spyro... it's okay... relax, my love," Cynder smiled with such innocence, not quite sure what was to happen or what was happening, but everything within told her this was right, "I feel... really good right now. You sounded... pleased... joyful for what I did. For everything you've done for me, I feel like this is the way to make it up to you. For you to feel the love you always show me. I want... ...I want you... Spyro," Groping his chest now, the sight of such a seducing body made Spyro's legs stretch and curl, rather upset that he was turning down what she wanted, "I may not know a lot about this stuff, but... hopefully I can still give you a good time~."

Returning her claw back, she had another idea to please him. Rolling down in a way, almost like she was stretching, her claws groped past his stomach; making their way up his chest and a little further. Her ass showed to the air, but her descent down push her body forward, laying herself down after this pleasuring feel of rubbing the underbelly of Spyro. The use of her tongue made way on her descent, licking the top of his stomach before traveling up his chest and ending at the bottom of his neck. Laid to him now, all this heat from her; everything from her snake-like slither down, her tongue wet yet warm on his body, and feeling her gentle approach to hump her body forward to rub his even most sensitive areas with her own, it was too much at this point. She had won. This seducing nature of hers worked all too well, and at this point, Spyro couldn't tell himself no, Don't think about her-don't think about her-don't think about that red chest! Those... emerald green eyes, those... shadowy scales... ...the way she moves her body... the feeling of gentle dominance... ...she wouldn't care either way if I was on top, or if she was... ...as long as we're having fun... ...what's the worry? Instead of fighting now, he started to enjoy himself. The gentle laps Cynder did around his neck now felt holy. Everything was coming together to evolve into something more. But like ice, after awhile, the moment was bound to break. His eyes went to focus upwards to whisper some naughty things to Cynder. Though with the moving of his eyes this time, he realized two dragons covering themselves with their wings. His mind shot stiff, remembering now that they had guests, I completely forgot about Malefor and Carith! Trying to be quick about it now, all these feelings of giving in were eliminated. He needed to act fast before a number of different things happened, "H-h-hey, um... Cynder...?"

She giggled rather happily. Like taking a shotgun to the heart, he knew he'd have to ruin this enjoyment and love she was having. It pained him even more to see her head raise with such a bright, cheerful smile. Everything she was doing, she knew he was enjoying. The feelings, the sounds, the emotions: fear was nonexistent. Anger, hate, displeasure, horrific futures were all but an erased afterthought. Her paws crossed, laying there to his chest and speaking out of pure exhilaration, "Hehehehe. Spyro, relax, we're going to be fine," Her smile nearly touched both ends of her face, causing another shot straight to Spyro's soul, "Like I said, I might not know everything about pleasing my man... only what I've seen others do, but... I want you to have this... ...I want you to truly know just how much... I love you... ...I love that purple smile, I love your protective nature, I love that cocky laugh," She giggled, and at this point, Spyro felt like stabbing his own self for the up-and-coming thing he wanted to say, "I love... ...just how much of a true husband you can be. I had those fears... ...the ones where you're... aggressive, but... right now... ...hehehe... ...I feel no worries... I feel no fears in our future together."

After hearing this, there was no way Spyro could've rationally thought of ruining her moment, SHIT! There's no way in hell! No way on Ancestors' green EARTH that I'm saying something now! I'd rather stub my toe, or hit my elbow wrong than to interrupt this, this... this perfect future that I've always wanted Cynder to believe in. It's right here, right in front of her very eyes! He couldn't go through with what he wanted to say. Carith and Malefor are already covering their eyes. At best, they'll run out and leave us to ourselves. I just... ...I can't leave... ...I can't take this feeling away from her! But I have to wonder... ...is this because... ...she wants to... mate with me? Or because she wants to play around with more exotic feelings? His paws had no control over where they were going. Both directed themselves to the hips of Cynder, wishing to help her get them moving. She noticed this, and with a smile that lit a fire of love within Spyro's heart, Cynder was ready to continue, "That's more like it. Good thing too, considering I don't really know how the, rolling of hips work, so... hopefully like all things... you can hold my paw through it all, and teach me the ways."

The light in her eyes to signify hope, the warmth her body gave off that rivaled his blue flames, and that sleek, curved smile that showed innocence in her blush; it was all so much for Spyro to enjoy, and that much more of a reason to not say no to someone such as her. Cynder was clear and at the ready to get down and dirty, whereas Spyro knew something was off but didn't dare say out loud what it was. Since no interruptions were to be had, these sexual advancements were to continue. However, while the others were sure not to say something, another entity within the body of Malefor had some choice words. Grabbing hold of his heart and lugs thanks to the darkness, the weighted down feeling and pain pulled Malefor to the bed, forcing his paw to his chest. This was only a warning, and it scared Malefor to feel just how much more power the Dark Master had accumulated over the short amount of time. Now with his presence known, the Dark Dragon gave his warning, "Shut them up before I kill everyone in this room. Spyro may be able to heal, but that still doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun to burst your internal organs. I'm sure you'd have the time of your life for the few seconds such pain would cause." His shivers were accompanied by drips of sweat throughout his body, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to stop the Dark Master's advancements. With the weight of his enemies' darkness letting go of his internals, a cough escaped his mouth. Carith took notice in mere seconds, snapping her whole body and head over to look at her struggling lover. For the other two, it took a second, but they both looked over at nearly the exact same time. Malefor was nearly in tears; afraid without a shadow of a doubt to feel such power come back from the Dark Master. He tried to laugh it off, even though he knew death was around the corner no matter how he looked at it, "Look, before you attack me or, Cynder bitch slaps me out of existence, can you help me... ...please...?"

Spyro was all for it, however, for Cynder, she needed a second. Realizing what the two were doing, and what was said: it caught up to her. It didn't help her case when hearing Spyro talk about their fun, "Yeah, one second," Looking to her eyes now, he blushed, she jumped, and feeling her heat that she was fighting against now, Cynder showed teeth out of the uncomfortable feeling, "Hehe... sorry to disappoint, Cynder. But you know the Dark Master. Hehe, to be honest, we should call him the Dark Mistress considering he bitches all the damn time. Hehe-get it? Because mistress means I'm calling him a woman?" Cynder sat stiff, still not responding to his joke, or any matter of life that'd show she was alive, "Cy... Cynder...? You okay?"

Shaking her head now, she acted in a way he never would've thought; a way he's never seen her act before. With tears flowing out her eyes, she jumped up above him and turned. Running head first to the wall behind her, this caught Spyro's attention, and he was quick to roll over to his side, "Cynder! Wait!"

She didn't listen. Instead, by the time he was able to make it back to all fours, Cynder's body was engulfed into the wall. Thanks to the use of her shadow powers, this wall she hid in was the perfect escape from her embarrassment. Not seen or heard by anyone around, it was just her in her own little space. Spyro's paw still reached in hopes she'd come out from her space, but sadly, he sighed, knowing she was in a state to which she didn't want to be seen. Carith giggled to her female friend's disappearance, and in many ways agreed, knowing that feeling very well, "Don't worry, Spyro. There's been plenty of times in my life where I've wanted to do such a thing too. One good example was when I slipped up and kissed Malefor on his lips when we were still getting to know each other. I wanted and begged for him to melt me with his fire as the feeling of lava already inside me would feel no different."

"There was a time you were asleep... ...hehehe... and I, uh... I had forgotten our positioning, and so I accidentally kissed your second pair of lips," Malefor snickered, but Carith did not find this funny.

"WHAT?!" Teeth showed in a fit of rage for the blue female, "And you didn't continue?!"

"Hehe, Carith, be honest. If that did happen, do you really think I wouldn't have helped myself to such a meal?"

"I'm not your meal," She grumbled, somewhat liking him saying what he did.

"Sorry. Snack. Dinner is for the nights before we go to bed."

"Cynder is stuck in the wall. How do I get her out?" Spyro needed guidance for the fun of it.

"It'd be a shame if her back half was stuck out while her front half wasn't," Carith knew what Spyro was thinking.

"What?!" He blushed to this, thinking nothing of the sort.

"What are you doing step-dragon? Well, either way, while Carith was thinking that, I thought you'd enjoy it more to be blown through the floor," Malefor had other ideas.

"You both aren't helping!" Spyro sighed, placing two claws to the top middle of his nose, shaking his head to the lack of help, "Cynder..." Turning towards the wall, he made his attempts to speak to her, "Look... just like last time, when you were in your Terror Form, and you spoke about what we'd do on the roof of this building... ...don't worry so much, my love. I'm not upset, and I'm not going to hate you for smiling, or showing hope for such a situation, even as... erotic... ...as they may be."

"Spyro... I don't think talking to a wall will help with your issues. It's okay to be crazy, just not, that, crazy."

Grumbling in a show of teeth to Malefor, Spyro wanted his best to help Cynder, not to fight at the same time when a show of teeth isn't what she'd want to see. Taking another breath, he continued to push for her resurgence, "I know thinking about something such as what we were doing, or what you were saying, while it may feel uncomfortable... ...it's only uncomfortable because you don't understand it: you don't know what these feelings are. And I know it's because... you're scared," She was listening, and as a way to show this, her muzzle and nose showed out from the wall to which was very odd to look at, "You're scared because of my reaction. You're afraid I won't like what you have planned and I'll back away, or show disgust towards you. You don't know how to handle these emotions, or even why they burn as bad as they do. It's all something we can work together on, but I can't do any of that with you stuck in that wall."

Her muzzle dropped back within the walls, and because of this, Spyro knew he'd have to take a step further. Taking a deep breath and readying himself for the bombshell he needed to drop, his cheeks flushed red, his body dropped sweat, and his heart skipped a beat, knowing that what needed to be said wouldn't be easy, "Come on, Cynder. I don't want to destroy these walls, because the only walls I'd ever destroy, are yours."

"GODDAMN, Spyro!" Malefor laughed out a massive one for this, whereas Carith sat there in shock for him saying.

"OKAY! TOO FAR! TOO FAR!" Feeling the now uncomfortable feeling within him, it wasn't the kind out of burning passion or love, but a genuine fear that he had said something wrong, "CYNDER! Cynder, my love, I didn't mean to take it that far!" Running up to the wall in front of him, he knocked on it, vigorously sweating now with an unsteady paw, "Cynder!" Knocking on the wall now, panic took over, afraid she had left at this point, "Cynder! I didn't mean that! I didn't mean to take it as far as I-UM!"

Out from the wall came a paw, and it was quick to grip Spyro's maw shut. He didn't know what to feel at this point in time. It was either a good thing for what he said, or a bad thing, but considering she didn't act until just now, he feared of doing both good, but also horribly wrong. Diving out from the wall now, Cynder took Spyro's body down; directly to how they were before. Where Spyro slapped down onto the bed; bouncing up and off for a single second before being shoved back downwards onto the bed, Cynder landed to her threes, her paw still holding his muzzle shut. Spyro was in a mess of sweat and tears, though Cynder on the other hand was clam, collected, and rather viscous looking. She had control over the situation, and thanks to a small, gentle yank in his muzzle, his head rested sideways now, instead of having that perfect upwards view. One eye looked to her two, and with teeth right next to his ear hole, saliva dripped down onto him as she threatened, "Take. It. Back."

He was afraid to know what he had down, but she was a wolf to his mere curled up and defenseless bunny of a body. The control wasn't his, and that was made abundantly clear. The mistake was made, and unless he corrected himself, the idea of anything was pointless, knowing such failure would end in him being dinner. Swallowing hard on his decisions, Spyro came to the realization and fixed his mistake, "Y-y-y-you're v-v-v-very s-s-s-smart, and..."

"NOT THAT!" Jerking her paw from his muzzle and now holding it down firm on the side of his head; her claws just inches away from his fleshy eyes, he knew his last mistake would surely be the last of himself, "Take. It. BACK!"

His pupils raced from side to side, afraid of what he could've missed. And where his fears lied in failure, Cynder's were towards his movements. While her threats would obviously scare any man, the sight of fear towards her coming from Spyro: it was unsettling. The shaking of his eyes, the sweat dripping down his scales, sudden shivers of realistic fear. Everything pointed to him truly being afraid of her. Seeing this now shifted her emotions from dominant, to submissive. Her paw gradually eased up off his head, and where this should've helped, it only made Spyro work faster. Waving his paws frantically to the air, he knew where he tripped, "Wait-wait-wait-wait-wait-wait-wait! I know exactly what it was now!" She was listening, "Is it... ...like a Flair thing? Are you upset at me for telling you what you're feeling, and you're upset because that's not it at all and I'm making things worse by bringing up sexual situations because all men think about is sex and you're tired of me thinking that way?!"

It was a long one. A good try that simply fell short. Cynder knew at this point he wouldn't figure it out, or rather, from the look in his eye now, he was dogging what was really going on. She sighed to this, not knowing what his true intentions were, how he felt, or even if what happened was something he enjoyed. A thought came to her mind about what was happening, though what it was and what Spyro was planning was beyond her, He... ...he looks like he knows what's wrong but isn't strictly talking about it. And I can't tell why he seems to be actually fearing my advancements. Am I doing something wrong? Is the aggressive and dominant angle not what he enjoys from me? As depressing as it was for her to think about, there wasn't exactly anything telling her no. The only one who could comfort her was Spyro, and where she thought keeping to her own mind was a safe space, another surprise was thrown her way. "I knew that'd get you thinking."

Hearing another voice within her mind made her fizz to a feeling of goosebumps. The sudden sound and wiggle-like feeling to her brain wasn't something she expected at all, and the entirety of her body jumped before locking. Down to the single scale, she was completely straightened out; stiff to a point of a wooden board. After taking time to recover, her eyes were finally able to move, as was her neck. Both dropped down to look upon Spyro's laying figure, and lay there he most definitely did. Though the smirk he had spoke a thousand words to her. Suddenly, everything clicked, and all these fears that she had suddenly disappeared. His cocky smile was enough to warrant safety and play, but hearing his voice soothe the insides of her mind now too was what she believed to be a massive leap for them going forward, "Hehe... you know, I can kinda guess what you're thinking right now, or rather, before. Before, you were afraid that my fear was genuinely towards you. Am I right?" He nailed it, and her sudden jump of a shiver was simply confirmation, "The shaky pupils? The sweats? The troublesome tremors in my body? Poor little shadow thought those emotions were towards her, when in reality, it was all a distraction to hide the truth. I don't take back what I said, Cynder. Or at least, I stay truthful to what was said previously. I know you were afraid, I know how much you loved me saying, and I know all about what you're feeling... ...what you want to feel... ...and why you wish to feel it~" Reaching up and rubbing the side of her cheek, Spyro hit all the right buttons to get to her. Stunned in awe over what he was saying; that going double for what it was he was doing, she was wrapped around his fingertips. She didn't care for what was next. Either way it was a win-win for her. However, this back and forth show of love wasn't long lived as a beast growled over its continuation. The Dark Master, now with powers to cause actual concern, let his presence be known to those around him. First, he started off easy to see how things went, "Malefor... I really, really hate repeating myself. Give me control now before I end up throwing the nice guy act out the window. I'd rather not have to use up my dark power fighting your childish attempts to stop me, so make this easy for the both of us." Malefor was stuck in a poor situation here. While Cynder was on cloud nine for her winnings, for him, it was all a losing game. Alright, alright! Just... ...just let me breathe. Taking charge, he believed interrupting them was the best course of action, "Sp... ...Spyro..." He somewhat had his attention, "The... ...Dark Master wants to get this talk over with. I'd rather not just hand over control and spook you, even though I know you said Kettu and Xvar were keeping watch."

Taking a hefty sigh, Spyro's new movements and actions broke Cynder from the otherworldly experience she was having. While short lived, knowing of what was next for them was a hope and a dream to look forward to in its own right. Facing over to him now, a go ahead was given by the younger purple dragon, "I've got your back, Malefor. And just like last time, we'll stay vigilant. Though it should come to no surprise that a thank you is in order to the Dark Master for letting you hear and see our conversations, so... ...I'll try and check on you throughout the talk. Alright?"

Knowing his time was at an end for now, a sigh was let loose from his lips. To help prepare himself, his head turned to his blue female lover. She looked to him in wonder for what he'd do, and to a lovely surprise, his lips coated over hers. This gave Spyro and Cynder time to take their stand, more so the purple dragon for being on his back. A helping paw gripped to his arm, Cynder pulled him up from the bed and outright asked, "So now that we can communicate with our darkness straight through our minds... ...where does that put us? And by that I mean... ...where do we go from here? You can aid me in nightmares, soothe me with the warmth of your purple flames, protect me with the girth and size of your love... ...and even when those explosions went off, and debris flew right to my face yesterday... ...you disintegrated it without even moving."

"That's all thanks to Kettu and Xvar to be honest," Spyro didn't want to be the only one having praise, "Like I've said before, because of their darkness, my muscles are always bending and breaking even when I'm sleeping. So I can have the toughest of exercises, the most painful of experiences, and the best of the best muscle gain; all from the comfort of your side. Fixes the issue I had where I needed to choose you, or training," He laughed now that he saw a little joke behind all this work, "But I guess that doesn't matter now that you want to train with me."

"Kettu and Xvar are nothing more than fools," A voice growled.

Behind-the-scenes, Malefor and Carith had finished with their kiss, allowing the Dark Master to take over. Take over he most definitely did, leaving almost no trace to Malefor's original body. Now it looked almost as though his scales, fins, flaps, and horns had all been dipped in lava. His body was torn, beaten, and battered; no trace of a man, but rather a walking pile of bones. The only resemblance of Malefor was that of which the Dark Master chose to take on, aiding his body in case of an attack. Standing tall and stepping over top of Carith, the frighten female cowered for her life, holding paws to her head and keeping all sides to herself. It was surprising to see this didn't even need to be done. The Dark Master took his steps carefully, avoiding the terrified female and making his way off the bed. Carith was just as much thankful as the other two were to see what looked like good faith, though the Dark Master already knew of what they were thinking and disputed them, "Please do not think of my actions to be fair. I simply didn't squash the hatchling before me because the idea of freedom is ideal. And the thought of having someone yap in my ear like a dog that needs to be put down would surely aggravate me."

"Hehe. No complaints here," Spyro was happy either way, landing down to the floor below as the two spoke; Cynder and Carith following seconds later, "You'll probably hear me say this a lot but... I miss having you around, Dark Master."

Where the Dark Dragon showed teeth, Spyro showed a smile. Carith and Cynder watched in fear for what looked like a soon to be battle. The girls stood to the front of the bed, whereas the two males fronted each other in the middle. The Dark Master stood off to the right, body turned and facing directly to his opponent. Spyro was the same: his rear end facing the left wall from the direction of the doorway out. Each had their chests shown, though not fully fluffed out. They were prepared; cautious of what the other might pull. However for now, things seemed to stay peaceful. The Dark Master sucked his teeth over such a statement, "Oh really? Before, you couldn't even stand the idea of keeping me alive. But now knowing that I could lead this world to peace, you suddenly wish to accept a friendship?"

"Hehe, hell no. To be honest, If I wanted you died, I would've killed you already; we all know that by now. I also know that getting you to agree with something you don't like is nearly impossible. Which is why, I have a better idea," All were ready and waiting for what it was that Spyro had in mind, "I used to train like hell, and I still try to. Though I've learned from my mistakes, and instead of holding others back from their potential, I want you; I want Malefor, to spread your wings and fly."

"You want us to fight."

"I want 'us' to fight," Where a smirk showed to Spyro's lips, small white spikes showed from the Dark Dragon's row of teeth, "You've been the only one who's ever made my blood pump. Even with the idea of a new dark master out there, he's nothing like you. The Destroyer was old news, the attack on Warfang was pointless without a leader, and to know you have so much power, so much potential in your strength... ...I've felt it. Where you are now, our battle would be short lived. But if I give it just those few more days, a little more time in the oven... ...I could have a real fight on my paws."

Where Spyro saw growth, joy, and the itch to fight being satisfied, the opposite was seen by the Dark Master.

"As I said, Kettu and Xvar are fools. By them allowing your powers to grow overnight, you've become blinded. Here soon, if such a fight were to occur, my death would be right at the corner," Peaceful times seemed to never last, and with the dark power growing and spiking out in the preparation for a fight, the girls feared, whereas Spyro smiled, "Soon you'll see we Dark Dragons aren't like purple dragons. We have limits, and once you've seen mine reach its point, the darkness will be of no use to you any longer."

"What are you talking about?"

"The darkness multiples your power, Spyro. The darkness that you use, and the power you have is nothing more than a sample to what you could be. The darkness has a cap, as all things do. We break down, we grow old, we lose the ability to do things we used to do. But for purple dragons... ...you bunch are what keeps others nightmares burning with fuel."

"For the last time, I don't care to rule over the world! If you're so scared about this idea, don't harm my family, it's that simple!"

"Do not lie to me, child," Even if it was to be a losing battle, the Dark Master put his foot down, and where Spyro smiled before, he started to show teeth the same, "Purple dragons grow in a way that surpasses the limit; the cap that the darkness has and what it can bring. You ever wonder what happened to the first purple dragon's dark powers? He grew over them. At first, he saw us as powerful beings and wished no war or harm between the two sides, knowing all too well what would happen if a little bird made one wrong move," No longer sitting still, the Dark Master rose to his highest figure, circling around Spyro now to allow his words, and the truth, to delve deep within his mind, "The purple dragon used the darkness almost every day, to a point of near exhaustion. He came back constantly, requesting more and more. He had no source to keep it within himself, and burned it out nearly every day he trained. And so, the Dark Dragons offered him a deal. He could have one of their own, but if this someone was to ever face death at the hands or faults of said purple dragon, then peace would be off the table."

"Why are you bothering to lecture me?" Keeping still and allowing the Dark Master freedom to roam around in his circular formation, the tension in the air was heavy, almost as though the roof of the building was right at the top of their heads, "You keep saying the first purple dragon this or, the first purple dragon that. Stop trying to compare me to someone else who had a different lifestyle, different parents, different friends, and a different way of thinking."

"I'll skip to the best part since you wish to whine," Sitting near the wall right behind Spyro as though he were to make a sneak attack, the Dark Master's smirk over what he was talking about turned sour, "The purple dragon found his powers were being weakened by the Dark Dragoness," The three all turned to him with wide eyes to hear it wasn't a male that was given to this purple dragon, but a female, "She told him the truth about what her powers were. He had grown too strong for her own good, and the darkness could no longer keep up. So he had two options. One would be to let her go, and cut ties with this female. However in doing so, it would cut ties with the Dark Dragon home world all together, forever keeping their little sanctuary and realm a secret. So, the only other option... ...would've been to enslave her."

"What?!" Understanding now why this was brought up, Spyro wasn't about to be looked at in such a way, "That's not who I am! If I noticed such a thing was happening, do you really think I'd enslave someone?! I would've let her go! And besides, I already told you of what I'd do. I'll bring the two worlds back together and become a bridge for those who walk on it."

"Being a bridge means being stepped on by everyone you know. And like everything after awhile, you'll break," His mind games were taking a toll already, but Spyro made sure to keep calm, even with the outburst he had, "He kept her trapped deep down within his body. When he felt her dark powers becoming too much, he'd erase her chance of escape. It didn't help the relationship of the purple dragon either, considering his mate knew he had another female to which he could do anything with."

Hearing this now made Spyro stop nearly dead cold, realizing something and connecting dots from what all was gathered, "You... ...you don't think... ...he... ...he let his mate die that day because he chose the darkness over her... The female... ...the Dark Dragoness..." Coming to a full stop now, he wanted answers as to who or what this someone was, "Who was she?!" His response gave a blank faced expression from the Dark Master, though as always, teeth were shown, "But, wait... ...why would he enslave her, it doesn't make any sense. Even if he needed the darkness to go from one home world to the next, why wouldn't he just go back after time? And if the darkness no longer benefited him then... I don't... I..."

"Having someone in your head makes you grow attached after awhile, especially considering she was of the opposite sex. She knew him well, and where he knew giving her up would've been too painful, he decided to abuse her instead. He tried to benefit everyone, but in his blindness, he ended up doing the opposite. He couldn't go to the Ancestors as he knew they would've killed her. He couldn't go to his mate because she didn't like the idea of another female knowing him more than her. And he couldn't have released her out of fear she'd die. All he had to do... was let go," Even for Spyro, hearing these words pained him to no end, feeling what kind of weight it must've been to lose no matter how you looked at it, "Had he let her go, everything would've returned to normal, but his emotions clouded his mind. He was never a good person no matter how you looked at it, and here's the best part, Spyro; I could be lying."

This wasn't the time for mind games, and at this point, Spyro was ready for a different conversation, letting off a deep growl in displeasure, "Why...?"

"The Dark Dragons tell of his anger controlling him. Others tell stories of his heart getting in the way. There's no true trace back to what the purple dragon was feeling or even doing at the time, considering all those who lived back then are died. But one thing that remains constant is the disapproval the purple dragon has over the Dark Dragons. One day soon, it'll hit you suddenly like a gust of wind. The beats that you'll hear from Kettu and Xvar's hearts will be a distant memory... a distant feeling... because with them gone, thanks to your rejection to their darkness and fear of enslaving them... you'll become but a husk of a child," The Dark Master enjoyed the anger that showed in Spyro's eyes, seeing clear as day that his words were digging deep, "That day you made your wish, to become as powerful as you hoped to be... ...the darkness held you back. So if you ever find yourself trapped between choosing real strength to protect your... ...Cynder... ...then I have to wonder who you'd choose. Kettu and Xvar? Or Cynder? Heh-heh-heh... ...but I think we all know who'd be the one to live, and who you'd let die."

Spyro's anger lingered for awhile; playing the idea in his mind to which or when he may have to choose between who he loved or who he was protect by. Where he believed and knew Cynder to be his obvious pick, his chest burned to the idea, knowing exactly what the Dark Master was putting him through, A Sophie's Choice. The idea alone always made his teeth grind, knowing a win-lose situation was possible. However, he thought of it as a glass half full, and where his teeth still showed, so did a smile to which confused the Dark Master, "Hehe... you know, the less time you're around people, the worse your words get," The Dark Master now showed teeth; disgusted to the idea of being talked down upon by someone lesser than him, "There's always two sides to everything in life. I could've killed Malefor, but instead, I let him live. You just told me that letting Kettu and Xvar free is an option, so how would me letting them live a new life be a loss? Or is it a loss because someone is starting a new life rather than ending one?"

"It's funny that you think everything will just simply work out. What makes you think their deaths won't be because of you? You'll sit awake at night upset; destroyed over their deaths because you know you could've prevented it had you just stayed the lesser being that you are."

"For once... ...you're right about one thing," The Dark Master raised a brow to Spyro's saying, "I would be destroyed to hear of my brothers deaths. Kettu and Xvar have shown me true light even in the dark, which is why I want nothing more than to prove to them I can be their light, too. For me, I have no reason to fear the two. But for them... ...they know almost all about what and who the purple dragons were. I couldn't imagine the fear they must've undergone for taking hold over my body. The only reason they even saved me that day when we first connected was because they feared for their own lives too," Taking a second to listen closely within his own body, he heard the beats of their hearts; they were slow, calm, and thankfully at ease, "I won't ever give up on them... and I want the same to be said about you, Dark Master. Kettu and Xvar have put me in my place when I step out of line, and with all the knowledge you have, I wouldn't mind a course correction from you either. I'm obviously still very young, so maybe you could change my mind and turn me against my own kind if you tried hard enough."

Spyro smirked at this last part, hoping the Dark Master would get the idea of another mentor figure being needed. The Dark Dragon didn't much care for his little games, seeing this only as a way of play and in no way a serious discussion. A lot of ideas were thrown out into the open, but unfortunately, each one was shot down by the displeased villainous dragon, "I'm not your father, and I'm not fond of doing other people's dirty work. You have no need to get stronger. Your a masochist who loves the idea of a battle, however as I saw it, the day you found your true power, there was no difference between you and I. You nearly killed Cynder, showed no remorse to Ignitus, and craved the idea of battle. But once you've bested all there is, what's next? Who will you force into your games? At that point, where one man might not be able to take you on, the army of the world combined would suffice. Like a purge, you'll force many to suffer. Though rather an annual year, the nightmares you'll cause will stir through the days and nights."

"I'm not a goddamn weapon!" Showing teeth to his lack of understanding, Spyro knew there would be something down the line that would help his craving, "I'm sure in the future, like how the training room works, there will be a way for me to fight without the need of civilian interference; maybe one of those pocket dimensions would work fine. But I don't know why it's so hard for you to understand that I don't want what you think it is that I do. My biggest, biggest fear, and I know that's not saying a lot because I have plenty, but..." Shaking his head at the idea; the mental image of what was to come or what could happen if he wasn't careful, he needed to let this be known, "I'm... ...I'm afraid of the day I'll fail as a father. I still have so much to prove to so many around me, and one idea that haunts me... ...it's... ...it's..." Sighing as he sat, the energy he had in wanting to fight left him, "It's a cracked hatchling egg... ...I'm afraid of losing a child; my, child, to those who seek to do nothing but harm."

"Oh really?"

The way he said it made it sound as though the Dark Master took pleasure in knowing this; something he'd be able to use against him in the future. Spyro's once lost rage came back to him, and he stood up fast, "What do you mean, 'oh really'?!" The Dark Dragon sat there, watching the anger of the purple dragon unfold before him, "You say you're different than that of the dragon who used a hatchling's bones as toothpicks! Yet, what was the raid about when you attacked the Dragon Temple?! YOU SLAUGHTERED THEM! How could you POSSIBLY FEAR ME, when you've been the only one who's taken the lives of others?! THOSE THAT WEREN'T EVEN BORN YET!"

"I was simply there to end the life of you," He made no attempt in showing a movement to Spyro's actions, only giving facts to how he thought, "Those... ...apes, were the ones who slaughtered those hatchlings, not me. As I believe Ignitus has told you already, I was too busy with my paws full dealing with the Guardians at that time. I gave the ape king his orders, and he went against me."

"YOU REALLY THINK I BELIEVE THAT?! Everything you say is a manipulative ploy! You act like all because you didn't kill those hatchlings then, that justifies the deaths of all the others you've caused! It's because of you that many grew up without a mother, without a father! And because of that, you left them in a world that was on the verge of a volcanic meltdown!"

"I did them a favor. They learned to live on their own as many should understand. There's no reason to cling onto things when death is right around the corner for many. I saved them from heartbreak; from having to deal with the loss of someone they love, someone they know, or someone that their friends and family knew."

Tired of hearing such a deranged way of thinking, Spyro acted from his emotions. Flicking off his back legs, he flung himself forward at the Dark Dragon. Curving his arm around and bashing it into his neck, the two let off a growl for different reasons. With the Dark Master pinned to the wall, and a fierce, tightening force being applied to his neck, not much else could be said. Spyro was in a position where his legs helped give him force, allowing his pin and hold over his enemy to either worsen, or loosen up. But from the depths of his imagination; the idea of what all happened while Spyro was frozen in time, tears showed to his eyes, "You have no idea how stupid and wrong you are," His voice pained in agony, suffering in sympathy over those who lost their lives, and those who suffered, "Those hatchlings could've had amazing lives, could've grown up to meet real friends, real supporters, and a real connection to those around them. But you took that away simply because you think you're right?" Slipping up, his voice cracked under pressure, hating who the Dark Master was all together, "To think one day... ...a hatchling went to sleep thinking everything was going to be alright... ...but then as it woke... ...its parents didn't..." Balling both his paws into fists, his free left arm rasied, ready to pound some sense into his villains' way of thinking, "YOU THINK THAT'S JUSTIFIED?! YOU THINK TAKING AWAY SOMEONE'S LIFE BEFORE THEY EVEN HAVE ROOM TO GROW IS BENEFICIAL?!"

"It's so blatantly obvious," Holding both paws over Spyro's arm; attempting to push off some of this pressure to breathe, the Dark Master saw the purple dragon's way of thinking to be wrong, "Look at Flair... ...look at Trish... ...don't you think they would've been better off without parents, or those whom they made connections with?"

"NO!" Pulling his weight back just to slam himself forward, the wall behind the Dark Master's head cracked, "Flair still loved her mother, and Trish had no problem with her parents, only Argus! Ignitus made it through those tough times because he had his parents when the other three Guardians were captured! Volteer, Cyril, Carith, Malefor... ...so many more... ...they all miss the times they could've spent with who they loved... ...and you took that from them."

"So you're saying... ...all those who wish to kill... ...all those who see evil intent in what they're doing but show no remorse... ...you think those people should roam free?"

"Why can't you just work with me on this..." Spyro saw the Dark Master had potential to truly be someone different; it was just getting the Dark Dragon to see that within himself that proved to be the tougher challenge, "I do agree with you... ...at times, the world would be better off without some people. I don't believe in true evil... ...though there was once something I read from my adoptive parent's books, and something Sparks always talked about," Remembering back to such a point in time, he recalled what it was he read, "Real evil is the power to kill. Anything obtained by killing people can never bring true happiness."

"Dude, pat on the back to my boy, Spyro. Not only did he read a book, but he also made a perfect reference that I could be proud of," Malefor smiled within his own mind, glad to hear he wasn't the only one who enjoyed reading such a classic. "Though Volteer's little bitch ass comment about it being a diary instead of a notebook in my dreams was a low ass blow! Remind me to ask a sex question just to mess with him." Spyro build a foundation to work off of, and what felt like a decent lead, he wanted his best to act on it, "Like I told Seth, killing doesn't fix the problem, it'll always make another. Going around killing everyone because of the actions of one is arbitrary. You've never given us the chance to prove to you we aren't like other people, and to be honest, from the sounds of how you've acted and what you feel, your emotions aren't centered on a story. To me... ...it sounds like you had a personal experience."

The Dark Master didn't comment at first. Though seconds later, a small smirk appeared, "Oh, Spyro. You're so... vacuous."

"Hehe. You know, you and Volteer sure would get along with such a vocabulary," Backing down now, Spyro made sure to ease back in a way that was comfortable for both sides, "Look... ...I get it. You're afraid of death as are many. You don't want to be, buddy buddy, because you believe we'll turn on you for what's happened. But just like Cynder's corruption, just like when Flair tried to kill Cyril multiple times, we can make it past this. I do blame you for everything that's happened: the death of my parents, the war you plagued the world in, the years of life you stole from Malefor. I don't ever want to go back to that. So if there's anything we can do, someway for you to feel more comfortable, please... ...don't hesitate to say."

"I'd gain immediate comfort over your death."

"Hehehe. Nice try, but... maybe something else."

Actually giving it some thought, there was hope in the eyes of the three. Though there was still the fear and wonder if he was even telling the truth. Malefor however could feel the enemy's mind working. The only problem was, there was no way of telling what it was he was thinking. For now, all held their breaths metaphorically. Any step in the right direction was needed, and now was a time unlike any other. A sadistic smirk crossed the cheeks of the shadow dragon, causing the fear and anxiety of all to show. Reaching a paw out to the purple dragon, his words were cryptic, "Let me see your paw, Spyro," The purple dragon was clearly hesitant on what he was planning; his mind blaring out all kinds of red flags and forcing some steps back, "I'll make a simple deal, and show the nicest part of my kindled heart. Give me your paw, and I'll promise no harm to you or your family for the remainder of the day."

"O-kay... but what's the catch?" Trying his best to keep calm yet prepared, he wanted a little more knowledge of what he was getting himself into, "Clearly this is going to be dangerous, and I don't think it should come to any surprise but... if you mangle my darkness, and I feel some kind of disturbance... I will not hesitate to eradicate the darkness you've accumulated."

"Spyro... don't make me repeat myself. This is a, how you say, going once going twice, type of deal."

Spyro's body trembled just looking at his opponents' paw. He didn't wish for something to happen to those around him, especially not to those who were inside him. Kettu and Xvar were possible targets, but they were also the most important piece of information on what the Dark Master was attempting to do. What do you say you two? Think it's worth a go? I don't know what he's planning, but last thing I want is for him to turn me against you two, or maybe even something worse. Though him not making a mess of this, up and coming meeting, would be ideal. For some strange reason, and in many ways rather uncomfortable for Spyro, the two swiftly agreed; Kettu being the first, "I'm pretty sure we know what he's doing, and we'd say it's best to go for it." Xvar followed up in the agreement, "We wouldn't say it's bad, though once you place your paw down, you might feel a little prick." Not liking their quick words and even faster response, some questions needed answering before Spyro would even think about going through with this, Why did you two respond so fast? And, Kettu, if you know what he's doing, could you please tell me before I risk my life? Kettu was once again quick to respond, "Spyro, it's fine, just go for it. Nothing will happen to those around you." Spyro wasn't one to miss detail, especially not the obvious ones that yelled in his face, 'To those around me'? Not liking this attitude change the two were having, it felt like his so-called brothers were turning on him. But with a sigh to his lips, and knowing what was at stake, Spyro needed some support from someone he knew he could trust, "Cynder..." Her head perked up hearing her name called, "If anything happens, I'm going to need you to drill your fist into Malefor's cheek. If your blade somehow finds its way in his throat, that'll work too."

"I find it massively stupid that I suffer for your stupidity," Malefor grumbled to the Dark Master. Cynder was all at the ready; tail to her side and shining bright thanks to the sun's reflection, "Can't wait to get blood back on this baby. It's been awhile since I've had to lick blood off the edges. Kinda gets me excited knowing that I'ma cut me up a bitch real soon."

"What ever you think you're doing, DON'T DO IT!" His words were pointless as Malefor knew the Dark Master didn't care, but he still tried his best. Sighing due to the mass amount of fear and anxiety, the simple request clearly had more of a dark intent. The Dark Master was trying to hide his shadowy grin; his looks of almost excitement, and for Kettu and Xvar to be all for it, nearly knowing what it was he was going to do, Spyro had no chill. However, he fought through his fears, conquered the paralysis of a heavy paw, and lifted it from the ground. Lightly dropping it down to the Shadow Dragon before him, his paw rested in the open palm of his foe. Nothing seemed to have happened at first. For the time being, it seemed like nothing more than a joke. However, feeling a slight tingle to his paw that slowly moved its way up his arm, Spyro's brow rasied to the feeling. It was like tentacles were moving their way through his insides, and like a snake strike, it hit him. The tingling feeling shot through his arm, up his neck, and directly to his head. The connection was felt throughout the entirety of his body, and where his eyes looked to the ceiling in color, everything suddenly folded in as his vision went black.