Family Talks

A/N: The copyright of Shock and Radiana belong to Bakugan's Reboot Dragonoid. Luz's copyright belongs to Dana Terrace and Disney.

Flame was looking fondly around the Dragon Temple's Dojo. It was just as he remembered: the familiar smells, architecture, decor and so on. As if dealing a massive blow to the Dark Armies wasn't great enough. The young Peace Keeper was looking forward to practising his Flame abilities against dummies. Perhaps he might get to practise alongside his new brother, Spyro...

Flame's thoughts ground to a halt at the thought of his long-lost half-brother. The Purple Dragon was currently resting in the Temple Infirmary, recovering from his fight with Cynder.

13 years, and yet, it was just yesterday that Flame learned that he had a brother. How could Ignitus, their father, think himself unworthy?

Looks like the little Dragonfly that had accompanied Spyro (Sparx, was it?) was right: he needed to talk with his father.

As if on cue, Ignitus entered the Dojo himself. He too seemed keen to familiarise himself with his old home.

"Hi, Father," Flame greeted.

"Oh, hello, Flame," Ignitus replied. "Pleased to be home too, I see."

"How can I not be?" Flame confirmed, deciding not to cut to the chase too soon. "It's been too long since we've been here. I honestly expected this place to have been completely trashed by those crazy chimps."

"Hmm, yeah, I thought so too," Ignitus agreed. "Neither of us are complaining, but that is odd." He shrugged. "Ah well, less clearing up for us to do."

"Have you made contact with Mother?" Flame asked.

"Yes, Ainthe's currently assisting the rebuilding of Jurassic Jungles." The Fire Guardian smiled. "I can't tell you how much it meant to hear from your mother again. Our family can be together again..."

"And how did Mother react when she learned Spyro was still alive?"

Ignitus chuckled. "Oh, she was thrilled to hear it. She can't wait to see Spyro." His smile faded. "At least that makes one of us..."

"Yeah..." Flame steeled himself. It was now or never. "Father, why would you think yourself unworthy of being Spyro's father? I mean, look at me."

"I wasn't there for him, Flame," he replied. "Aside from saving his egg from the Dark Armies that night, all the nurturing a father should do for his son - Flash did it, and so did Cleem. Even when I met him for the first time; even when he asked me upfront who his birth parents were... I didn't tell him I was his father." Ignitus' paws clenched. "Cyril was right: I was a coward."

"Hey, you've done a lot for Spyro from what I've heard," Flame asserted. He would not let his father deride himself so harshly. "You saved him from being captured, fought alongside him, and taught him how to embrace his inner Dragon!" His tone softened. "You do love him, don't you?"

Ignitus stared at his son as if he'd somehow changed element. "Of course I love him!" he declared. "As much as I love you, Flame."

"Then that's all that matters," Flame assured. "If my brother's as nice as they say he is, he'll be more than happy to have you as his father. Speaking of which, why did you and Mother never tell me that I had a brother?"

"We... didn't know if Spyro was alive or not," Ignitus answered. "I didn't want your resolve broken by knowing you could've had a brother, but didn't." Ignitus shook his head. "I'm sorry, Flame. Sorry for everything! I wish... I wish I could take it all back; that I could've raised Spyro myself alongside you; that Cynder hadn't been corrupted into the Dark Master's puppet, and... and..." His voice broke.

Flame had been trained to remain calm and reserved in emotionally-trying situations. Yet the sight of his father looking so crestfallen nearly made him cry. He approached his father and hugged him.

"It's alright, Father," Flame comforted. "I can't imagine how it all must feel for you. But none of that matters now. Spyro's here with us. And given how he saved your life, you owe him as his father. The Ancestors have given you another chance, Father. Don't waste it. I'm sure Spyro will be more than happy to have you as a father. I know I am."

Ignitus didn't answer. He seemed lost in thought. But when he looked in Flame's face again, there was a small smile on his muzzle.

"Okay, son," he answered. "I'll... I'll try."

Flame beamed in encouragement. It was a start.

"That's the spirit. BTW, when was Spyro's egg laid? I don't remember Mother becoming pregnant again."

"That's because Ainthe isn't Spyro's mother," Ignitus explained. "Before I married her, I had another love: an Ice Dragoness named Sibylla. Long story short: after Comet's exile, she too left Avalar, though not after one last night with me."

"I think you've mentioned Sibylla before, Father," Flame recalled. "Did Mother know about that last night?

Ignitus' muzzle went, if possible, even redder than usual.

"We knew we were old friends, but, well, when I learned Spyro's egg was mine... things got a bit awkward..."

"And then," Flame snickered. "And then, Mother assumed Father had been sneaking out to see Sibylla behind her back! She couldn't believe that your egg had been laid so long ago and hadn't hatched in all that time! She knew little about how Dragon eggs hatched! It took the combined efforts of Cyril, Aureole and Cordelia to calm her down, before she burned down the Temple!"

Spyro, Elora and Sparx, who had been listening to Flame's story, all guffawed playfully.

"Wow, talk about a dramatic love triangle!" Sparx joked.

"Of course you could say it's like a operatic play, Sparx!" teased Elora.

"You know, it's funny you should mention that," Flame noted. "Mother actually specialises in plays and operas."

"Guess that explains her drama then!" laughed Elora.

Spyro chuckled a bit as he turned to Flame. "So Ainthe's my step-mom; what she's like?"

"Well, to be honest, she can be a little embarrassing," Flame shrugged, still grinning. "She loves to pretend like she's on stage. She often likes to alternate her demeanour, as you'll soon see. It's pretty funny, but also maddening! You should've seen how she reacted when I opted to be a Peace Keeper. I swear I still feel pains in my back when she hugged me so tightly!"

They were sitting in the courtyard outside the Dragon Temple, a few days since the TV crew had been ejected after accosting Cynder. Ignitus wanted Spyro to meet the rest of his Dragon family: his step-mother Ainthe, and his uncle, Nestor. Spyro was already acquainted with the latter, having saved him in Cloud Spires; and he was pleased to learn the Artisan was his Uncle.

He was also excited, but also a little nervous, about meeting his step-mother.

"'Hi there, I'm your stepson, Spyro! Nice to meet you!' No, that's not right. Erm... 'Hello, I know we've never met before, but I'm your stepson, Spyro.'" Spyro was trying to think how he was going to greet Ainthe. "No, no, it's no better."

"Spyro, are you talking to yourself?" Flame asked playfully.

"No!" protested Spyro. "I'm just... trying to be cool when I see my stepmom and uncle."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, little brother. You're gonna love them. And they'll love you. Though you'd better brace for tight hugs from Mother..."

"Duly noted," Spyro acknowledged.

"I think I'll be keeping my distance," Sparx muttered.

At that moment, Ignitus entered the courtyard, accompanied by two other Dragons: Nestor, and a Fire Dragoness with cinnabar scales, shocking pink horns and yellow eyes. She was garbed in a doublet and a rather extravagantly plumed hat, and had a pen and scrolls tucked into her belt.

"Hello, Mother, Uncle Nestor!" Flame greeted, moving forward to embrace them both.

"Hello there," Nestor returned, before looking at Spyro. "And hello there, young Dragon. Smashing to see you again. So, you're my nephew? I thought something familiar about you."

"Nice to see you too, Nestor," Spyro smiled. "Or may I call you Uncle?"

"You can call me whatever you please, nephew," Nestor assured, smiling.

Ainthe's yellow eyes roved over Spyro. "Doest this beest mine own stepson?" she wondered. She had a very medieval way of speaking. "Is this the hero is't hast defeated Cynder in hurlyburly?"

"Um, yes," Spyro confirmed, awkwardly.

Ainthe smiled. "Well, I am honoured to meeteth such a brave hero like thee, and especially to calleth him mine own stepson!"

"Sheesh, why do Dragons always have to talk funny?" Sparx muttered. Nestor sniggered.

Ignitus stepped in. "Ainthe, blazer, perhaps you should lay off the dramatic syntax for now."

Ainthe rolled her eyes. "Very well, Ignitus," she complied. She bent down to look her stepson square in the eye.

"It seems that you, Spyro, have Ignitus' fiery spirit," she commented. "But no doubt, you also have Sibylla's kindness and also her stubbornness!" She seemed to emphasise every few words. Ignitus shook his head with a smile.

Ainthe then turned to Elora and Sparx. "And you two are his companions: my stepson's adopted siblings, from what Ignitus tells me. Elora and Sparx, am I right?"

"Why, you are correct, lady." Sparx smirked, imitating her.

"Please Sparx, don't be a showoff!" Elora reprimanded. "You'll just embarrass yourself." She turned to Ainthe. "But anyway, yes, I am Elora. Nice to meet you."

Ainthe shook Elora's hand rather enthusiastically. Elora winced; the Dragoness' grip was very strong. "Charmed, it is interesting my step-son has a Faun as a sister."

"Well, adopted sister, yes," clarified Elora. "My parents moved out to the Swamp to escape the war, and we settled in with Spyro and Sparx's folks. Within a few weeks, the three of us were thick as thieves! Why, one of the first things we did together was try to take a baby Bulb Spider as a pet!"

"Oh, you have to bring that up!" Sparx grumbled. "That Spider tried to eat me!"

"Come on, it wasn't that bad, Sparx; that baby was cute," Spyro teased.

"Yeah, and hungry!"

Ainthe chuckled. "You kids are so funny!" She beamed at Spyro. "And you, Spyro; it is an honour to have you as a stepson!" And she pulled him into a bone-cracking hug.

"Whoa!" Spyro gasped. Flame was right to warn him. The young Peace Keeper was snickering.

"Alright, alright, Mother, let him down!"

"Oh sorry, honey." Ainthe let Spyro go.

"Wow, he he, you were right, Flame: you sure have a good grip," Spyro gasped.

"When you're the wife of a Guardian, a good grip is essential, my boy."

Spyro beamed. He was liking his stepmother already. "You really like your emphasis, Stepmom!"

Ainthe laughed. "I am an actress and playwright, after all. Would you like to hear my latest work?"

"I think I would," Spyro grinned. He looked around at Ignitus and Nestor to ask if they wanted to hear, and noticed they were conversing in low voices.

"Dad, Uncle Nestor, what are you guys talking about?"

Ainthe frowned at them, especially his husband. "What are you bemoaning now, Ignitus?"

Nestor gave his brother a firm nod. Ignitus took a breath.

"Spyro, since you've met your brother, uncle and stepmother, you may as well know about the rest. Firstly, there's our brother, Shock."

"Shock?" Spyro wondered.

"Let me guess: he's an Electric Dragon, right?" guessed Sparx.

"He was," Ignitus sighed. "Not anymore."

"Why, is he dead?" asked Elora.

"He might as well be," Nestor answered grimly. "He joined Malefor, and was changed into a Dark Guardian... of Poison!"

"Goodness," Spyro gasped.

"Yeah, that was my reaction too," Flame noted.

"Why is it always the uncle that goes bad?" Sparx lamented.

"Why did he join Malefor?" Elora wondered.

"Oh, mostly the usual rubbish," Nestor scoffed. "Arrogance, desire for power and what not. He'd been fascinated by Poison for a long time."

"But I think he wanted to be truly unique, like our Mother was," Ignitus added. As he spoke, a distant look came over his muzzle and he ran a hand over his eyes.

"Your mother? You mean my grandmother?" Spyro realised. "Who was she? And what do you mean she was unique?"

"Yeah, what do you mean?" Flame added. "You've never told me about Grandmother."

Ignitus' face crumpled in guilt for a moment.

"Our mother was... is Radiana," he replied. "And she was the Guardian of Light."

"Guardian of Light?"

Spyro remembered Terrador once saying that only one other Dragon had wielded Light.

"That's right," Ignitus confirmed quietly. "She truly was an anomaly, as Comet would be later on. Manipulating light is not unknown, of course; the Magic Crafters were adept at it, but only through their magic. Mother didn't need to. From the beginning, her egg glowed like a lantern. She did, however, need to teach herself how to her Light powers. She grew so talented with it that the Elders made her an honorary Guardian."

"What was she like?" Spyro inquired.

"Sassy and rebellious at times, soft and gentle at others," Nestor smiled. "Like Cordelia, she always knew how to make others feel better." His smile faded when he next spoke. "At least, until Comet's betrayal and Shock joining Malefor. She blamed herself for not being able to prevent such things, though I don't see how she could've." His face too wrinkled in pain. "We never saw her again after that. We don't even know if she's still alive. Could be dead for all we know..."

Spyro's heart sank at the prospect of never meeting his grandmother. Flame seemed to feel the same way.

"Spyro, Flame, I… I cannot say how sorry I am enough," Ignitus implored his sons. "I loved Mother very much, and her departure was more or less the worst thing to come out of Comet's betrayal. I wish I could've stopped her leaving…" A tear rolled down Ignitus' cheek. Ainthe placed a hand on her husband's shoulder.

"It… It doesn't matter, Dad," Spyro answered quietly. "I still have you, Flame, Nestor and Stepmom here; plus, Elora, Sparx and their folks," he added, smiling at his brother and sister.

Elora smiled, patting her brother on the head. Sparx nodded with a thumbs-up.

"Now that, Spyro, is spoken like a true son!" Ainthe declared, rubbing her stepson's head affectionately.

"And a true little brother," Flame added, grinning.

"Yeah. Wait, hold on," Spyro realised. "If my egg was laid before yours, that means, in a sense, that I'm the older brother here."

"He, he, no, Spyro," Flame countered. "I hatched first; that makes me older."

"But surely, life begins the moment you leave the inside of your mother, right?"

"That's for parents who bear live young, not us Dragons."

"What, you don't think eggs are alive or anything?"

"Oh, they're alive; just waiting to be born."

"That sounds self-contradictory."

"Oh, don't get bothered by semantics, little brother!"

"I'm the big brother here!"

"And I'm a Frogweed!" Sparx cut in. "He's the same with me! Claiming to be older just because Mom and Dad saw him hatch first!"

Elora, Nestor and Ainthe all laughed pleasantly as they watched the three brothers argue. Ignitus smiled too, but it was somewhat forced as he raised his gaze to the sky, lost in thought and past pains.

The small town of Blitzwing, at the far end of Avalar, was winding down for the evening. The Faun farmers had started packing up their stalls or shepherding their livestock back to their fields. The last few residents out shopping were beginning to head home. Most of them were Elves, along with a Centaur and two Goats.

One young Elf, with tan skin, hazel eyes and purple-brown hair and shrouded in a blue cloak, gathered up her supplies and left the town square. She weaved her way carefully through the populace, smiling pleasantly at everyone she passed. Some returned her greeting; others just ignored her.

Eventually, the girl reached a small temple on the edge of the town. She passed through the gates, which were adorned with a pale yellow and white symbol that resembled a sun and entered the courtyard inside. The girl went towards one of the buildings around her. She knocked on the door.

"Vee, I'm back," she called. "I've brought the supplies."

"Just leave them outside," came the reply. "I'm... busy cleaning in here."

"Right..." the Elf said, rather sceptically, as she set the basket down beside the door. She then turned and headed towards the shrine directly opposite the gate. The girl slowed as she went inside, so as not to disturb her mentor.

In the middle of the shrine, a Dragoness sat with her back to the girl. She had creamy white scale, blue-grey wings that matched her four horns, a mane of white hair and long golden eyebrows. She wore a purple robes with cream sleeves, and a banner with the sun-like symbol on her chest. Her entire body emitted a soft golden glow.

"Luz," she greeted, without turning round. "I trust your trip went well."

"Oh, indeed, Master!" the Elf girl raved, beaming. "I got everything you needed! I've just given it to Vee. I'm really finding my place here!"

The Dragoness opened her golden eyes, and looked round at Luz with a small smile.

"Well, glad you like it," she said, as she picked up a cane and got slowly to her feet. "I think you're just about ready."

"Ready for what?" Luz asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Learning to harness the uplifting power of Light you were blessed with," the Dragoness replied. "You'll need it to save your home."

At this, Luz gasped in excitement.

"Oh, thank you, Master!" she simpered, hugging the Dragoness tightly. "I can't tell you how much I've looked forward to this!"

"You don't need to, my dear," the Dragoness chuckled, patting Luz's head. "And I've told you: just 'Radiana' is fine."

Luz looked up at her mentor as she stepped back. As she did so, she reached up and tugged on her long pointed ears. They came off, revealing shorter, rounded ears underneath.

"I hope I can help save your world too, Radiana. It's the least I can do for you." Her face fell. "I won't leave you, like..." Her voice caught.

"I've told you; that wasn't your fault," Radiana encouraged. "Anyway, she'd be thankful you're alive and safe." She patted Luz's head as they left her shrine. "Now, go some rest. We'll start at sunrise tomorrow."

"Okay," Luz replied, but as she left, Radiana could tell her Human protégée was still troubled. She also knew that later on, Luz would likely wake up crying that night, and Vee would be apologising yet again.

Radiana knew how Luz felt.

The Light Dragoness turned her gaze in the direction of her old home for a moment, before shaking her head. No point looking back now.

She'd failed Shock and Comet: she wouldn't fail Luz.