This is Part I of the Memorial Day Special. Our annual tradition to honor those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom continues. Last time, the Malefic Order found our heroes' location and attempted to secure the pendant. Thankfully Cynder and Nathan Drake fought them off while Spyro got the others out of there. Upon their defeat, Cynder went to summon a Guard to round these guys up while Nathan Drake left to catch up with the rest. So, what awaits now? Read on to discover...

(Our scene opens up back in Concurrent Skies, where Nathan Drake is adding the pendant recovered from the Ruins of Warfang to the four they already had, while Sully, Elena, and Spyro look on.)

Nathan Drake: Well, one down, two to go.

Sully: Well then, why aren't we looking?

Spyro: We're waiting for Cynder to get back.

(And just like that, the door to the room opens and then shuts with a frustrated air as Cynder enters the room)

Cynder: The creeps aren't talking. No surprise there, we've never gotten them to speak.

Nathan Drake: So we still don't know how they found us?

Spyro: Like she said, this is commonplace for this group. They never want to talk when caught.

Cynder: How're we doing on finding the next pendant?

Nathan Drake: I was just about to start looking over the riddle again. Should give us a clue.

Elena: (Holding the scroll) All we've got about the second one is that it should be found, and I quote, "within the nightmare's womb".

Sully: Whatever the hell that means.

Spyro: There is one thing it could mean.

Cynder: It couldn't be that.

Spyro: Do you know of any other nightmare that we know the location for the metaphorical "womb" of?

Cynder: Why would the Guardians of old have hidden this item in that place?

Spyro: They probably didn't! He probably stole it during the war!

Cynder: Then why didn't Hunter recover it when he was there?

Spyro: Probably because he was too busy recovering us!

Nathan Drake: Alright, break it up you two. (To Cynder) As unlikely as this lead may be, we still have to check it out. (To Spyro) Now then, what's this location?

Cynder: (Aside, and frustrated) The Mountain of Malefor.

Sully: My hearing must be going, because I could have sworn I heard you say "The Mountain of Malefor".

Nathan Drake: Because she did.

Cynder: Like I said before. It couldn't be. Why would the Ancestors have chosen to hide something this important in the very base of their archenemy?

Spyro: Like I said, it was probably stolen.

Cynder: (Rolls her eyes in frustration) You just have to be right, don't you?

Spyro: This has nothing to do with that.

Elena: What the heck is going on with you two?

Cynder: This is a private matter.

Nathan Drake: Regardless, it's still a plausibility. We need to check it out at least.

Cynder: If you want to waste your time searching some place we know it's not, fine by me. Just don't expect me to join you. (Turns away with a huff) If anyone needs me, I'll be in the gym.

(And with that, Cynder leaves, slamming the door behind her)

Sully: Well that was... unexpected.

Spyro: (Sighs) It's getting worse.

Elena: What do you mean "getting worse"?

Spyro: Cynder's been like this ever since Terrador passed. Throwing herself into her work. I keep urging her to take a break, calm down a bit, but she just keeps pushing me aside.

Nathan Drake: You guys seemed like you got along at the restaurant.

Spyro: We both agreed to try and keep our fights private, that and we were really just tracking you guys. We haven't been on an actual date in probably a year now.

Sully: Sounds like you guys need a marriage counselor.

Spyro: (Confused) We're not married.

Sully: Well whatever it is, we've got a mission to get to.

Nathan Drake: We'll set off in a minute. I'm going to see if I can get through to Cynder first.

(And with that, Nathan Drake heads off in the direction of Cynder, hoping to see if he can get past her facade, as our story ends for today)

This concludes Part I of the Memorial Day Special. For Part II, head over to A Song Of Spiders And Dragons. So, it looks like Spyro and Cynder are having some relationship issues. I never really see this angle being explored, save for extremes like them breaking up or something, so I figured I'd do something with it. Anyways, will Nathan Drake be able to break past Cynder's tough facade to see what's going on here? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!