Welcome one and all to this year's Thanksgiving Special! My once yearly tribute to give thanks for all those who have read my stuff throughout the past, and I can't believe I'm saying this, ten years. More on that in a few days. But for now, we've got to catch up with SWAT, for Part I of the Thanksgiving Special. Last time, the car chase wrapped with an elemental display by Spyro and Cynder. But alas, it did not end well, as while the perpetrators were caught, the body of Christina Summer was discovered in the back of the van, a bullet wound in her head. It seems they've lost their only lead to whatever is going on. Or have they? Read on to discover...

(Our scene picks up at SWAT headquarters, where Spyro is going to town on a punching bag, to the point where he actually knocks one in half. And based on his reaction, it's not the only one he's broken today, as evidenced by Hondo entering and being surprised by a now trio of broken punching bags)

Hondo: Holy hell, kid. Did you do this?

Spyro: (Hanging a new punching bag, then in a monotonous voice) Don't worry, I'll pay for them.

Hondo: (Realizing it) This is about Christina, isn't it?

Spyro: (Sighs) How would you feel in this situation? My job was to keep her safe, and I failed. Not only did I not get her away from these creeps in the first place, but I couldn't catch her in time to save her from them. (Punches the wall, leaving a dent in it) I should just go back home and resign.

Hondo: Whoa, whoa, whoa, no need to get that drastic. You're a good cop, kid. You really are. Everybody has off days, especially in this business. (Sees something is off, more so than already) There's more to this, isn't there?

Spyro: I was able to keep an entire city from being destroyed during the war against Malefor, yet in this land in relative peacetime, I can't even save one person. Am I losing my touch?

Hondo: I wouldn't say losing your touch. You're still adapting to a peaceful time from being a soldier at what, 15? I know people who started soldiering at twice your age who still haven't made the full jump to peacetime yet. But I have no doubt you'll be able to. It's just going to take time.

(Spyro is about to punch the wall again, but in this moment, things seem to dawn on him. He has just now realized how much pressure he's been under recently, and with a sigh, seemingly relieves some of it)

Spyro: Thanks, Hondo. I needed that.

Hondo: Glad to help. Now come on, Hicks finally tracked down the other disappearances.

(Seeing there's a chance to help more where he couldn't help Christina Summer, Spyro perks right back up and heads off with Hondo. In the control room, Hicks has the four disappearances up on the screen, and is marveling at something. But it's not something good.)

Hicks: How did we miss this? How did all these disappearances just get covered up?

Cynder: Whoever's doing this had cops on their payroll. And if I had to guess, probably a lot more.

(At this point, Hondo and Spyro walk in)

Spyro: What've we got?

Hicks: A real sad state for LAPD's public image. But beyond that, four disappearances in the Silver Lake area under similar circumstances to Christina's.

Hondo: Any specific similarities?

Hicks: We just found the disappearances while you were out on a chase. I'm still analyzing them.

(At this point, Tan and Chris enter the room, carrying a tablet)

Tan: Then maybe we can help.

Chris: We pulled the van's registration.

Cynder: Who owns it?

Chris: It's registered to a bakery out in Silver Lake, owned by an old DA candidate, called it "The Proof".

Spyro: (Rolling his eyes at the bad pun) Clever.

Chris: The place had to close down last year, but their van still seems to be making deliveries all over the city.

Cynder: Interesting. Sounds like we need to check it out.

Tan: Warrant's already on the way.

Hondo: Alright then, Tan, Chris, Spyro, Cynder, we'll go check this out. (To Hicks) Let us know immediately if anything else comes up with these cases.

Hicks: Will do. By the way, I've updated Officer Azaria and Inspector Lesus as to what's going on, they'll be here in a bit to give a hand.

Spyro: Strange how those two really want to be involved in this...

Cynder: Indeed. But we'll have to ponder that later. We've got a bakery to check out.

(With that, the quintet of officers heads out to gear up, as our scene ends for today)

This concludes Part I of the Thanksgiving Special. For Part II, head on over to A Song of Spiders and Dragons. So, Spyro's getting back in his game after a pep-talk from Hondo, and now there's a lead on the van. So what awaits out at the bakery? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!