A/N: (2/10/2019) Honestly I love Spyro, (and I found out my PS2 works!) But, this idea won't leave me alone - I mean, Moneybags is such a conceited, pompous blaggard and I sorta wanted to make him more despicable, as well as introduce this whump concept. Plus, how does he have so much control over so many things? He's such a shady character.

This Spyro is slightly older (adolescent but younger than 14 in human terms), while being slightly more serious like Legend Trilogy Spyro is. Sparx is definitely leaning more towards bright and bubbly from the original Trilogy.

I will give warning that there's going to be mentions of animal abuse of sorts, as well as "dehumanization" in a sense. It shouldn't be too intense, but it will be blatantly referenced/mentioned.

Gilded Amethyst

There was the rough scrape of the cage being dragged in, rugged metal scrapping against splintering wood floors.

A bear stood, watching the malformed creatures drag it in. He was dressed to the nines, and gave off an air of being a pompous, arrogant upperclass salesman who'd as soon steal and sell your soul for a handful of coins while convincing you to spend double that on a set of spoons.

"Ah, Theif, I see you've brought me something else today." The bear's muzzle twitched into a slight grin, his monocle rising slightly at the pressure.

An Egg Theif was watching the procession carefully. It was the standard kind of Egg Theif; a hunched, thin and bony black body swathed in a spun robe of a single color. This one dons a dark green, and his slit, white glowing eyes and ever-present jagged grin peeped out from under the hood. "You'll like this one Moneybags, oh yes," it sniggered, voice high and whiny. "You'll get good money I'm sure - and pay me back sufficiently, I gather."

"I can get you the two sets of Griffin eggs you requested - if, and only if what you've brought is of equal value."

That malicious grin didn't even twitch. "Oh, it's of greater value, I assure you."

The creatures suddenly dropped the cage, one of them hissing at it. With a sharp sound from the Theif, one of them snagged the cloth with its claws and pulled it down.

Moneybags eyes were wide in disbelief; his monocle even fell, dangling on its gold chain. Theif started to jump up and down from one foot to the other in excitement, cackling, "see! See!"

It was a dragon - and a young one at that. Each paw chained with a metal band over its ankles and wrists, as well as a large band around its neck. It's scales with rich amythyst, the warm undertones suggesting a fire breed, and its highlights - arching wings, horns, tailtip, undersides, and headspikes - were a soft blend of golden yellows and oranges.

The mouth was bound shut as well, and beautiful indigo eyes looking pleadingly at Moneybags.

A wicked grin stretched across the greedy bear's face. "Theif, I'll get you three sets of eggs - you've outdone yourself."

"Ah ah ah, don't forget." Moneybags glanced down at him, watching as he pulled out a glass lantern with holes at the top for air. A dragonfly buzzed anxiously in it, darting back and forth in the small space. It stilled when it finally caught sight of the dragon, then charged forward, bouncing off with a dink.

Moneybags sighed. "How could I forget?" Every treasure came with a price, he supposed. Young dragons were bonded to a dragonfly. If that soul-guide perished, then so to would the dragon.

Well, according to lore, but Moneybags wasn't one to risk something like that.

His huge paws gently took the lantern, and he set it carefully on top of one of the crates, making sure to place a cloth around it so it couldn't be knocked off.

"Any suggestions on feeding for them? I know your kind can traverse to the Dragon Realms at will."

Theif nodded, smile flattening somewhat into something more serious. "Oh yes, yes. The dragonfly will need sufficient feed - butterflies."

Moneybags arched a brow. "Butterflies? Any specific kind? Monarch, Whimsy, or Mourning perhaps?"

"Fodder."

Moneybags frowned. "That won't be cheap, but, I suppose I can make do. And the prize?"

The Theif grinned. "Technically, it can live without eating as long as you keep it's soul-guide alive. But I'd suggest meat if you want to feed it. Mutton is your best choice."

"Mmm."

They glanced at the cage, which shook as the dragon pulled at the restraints, eyes wide and watery. It looked back and forth between the two, huffing smoke out of its nostrils, and curling it's mouth so that teeth showed in fear.

"Oh, don't worry little Artisan," Theif cooed at it. "Moneybags will take very, very good care of you. Won't you, Bags?"

Moneybags fought off a scowl at the name, and instead smiled sweetly, falsely, at the beast. "Of course, of course. After all, I wouldn't want to tarnish such a wonderful treasure, would I?"

And Moneybags saw in the creature's eyes that it didn't believe a single word that he had said.

Which was all the better, he supposed.

After all, Moneybags was not a good person. A greedy bastard, yes, who took good care of his treasures, keeping them polished and shining. But a good person, who cared for the well being of another? Not at all.

He found himself grinning.

. . .not at all.