Chapter 5: Burned to Cinders

Spyro froze up, staring at her.

"Yes. It's true that I've been lying this whole time. It's just that I spent so long wanting to see you."

Cynder looked down into the water. She felt braver speaking to her reflection.

"Spyro, it's really complicated. But you were the first dragon I ever heard about. I immediately wanted to know more about you. I wanted to see you in person to make sure you were real. It was really hard to make it here, but I did it.

"And I…well, I want to leave my past behind me. My real past. I love it here, I really do…it's like a paradise. And you make it so much better."

Cynder coughed on the smoke festering in her throat. A fluttery feeling was in her chest; she had never been on cloud nine like she was now.

"I thought…I would have trouble if there were other dragons our age here," Cynder said slowly. "But there are none. You're alone and have been, just like me. That makes me feel like, we're…connected, in some sort of special way, Spyro. Maybe…we can…"

"Are you kidding me?"

Spyro's tone was dark and coarse. He didn't sound like himself. The joy Cynder felt was blown away in a storm of despair. She looked around, fearful. He was staring at her like she was the most repulsive thing he'd ever seen. She felt her heart disintegrate.

"I wish you were joking. All that was true, wasn't it? I could hear it," Spyro muttered. His eyes were black and cold. Smoke billowed from his pulsing nostrils and he repeated, "I could hear it. I have NEVER heard you sound that genuine and confident. Not until now."

Cynder cowered, squeaking, "I-I…"

"What is wrong with you?" Spyro hissed, standing up. His blood was boiling and it felt like their boat would burst into flames at any moment.

Suddenly, he hopped into the river! Cynder clutched the edge of the boat, and then shied back. She didn't know how to swim. She was also afraid to fly in tunnels and caves.

"Spyro, come back!" she cried, as he swiftly left the boat behind. "You'll…drown!"

He didn't slow down or show any sign he'd heard her. Cynder laid down and began to cry.


The Artisans

Spyro wandered back home with his feelings ready to explode out of his chest.

His wings drooped loosely over his back and he drug his paws through the grass like they were covered in cement. He hung his head, which was spiraling with a violent torrent of awful feelings. The sunshine and peaceful day were dull and uninteresting.

A warm breeze passed over him, carrying a voice with it.

"Spyro, my boy?"

Spyro looked up and around. No other dragon was around from what he could tell.

"What's the matter?" the voice continued. "You look upset."

Spyro dropped his head again, scratching at the dirt. "Uh…yeah, I am. I don't really wanna talk about it."

"You're sure? It's no good for a dragon your age to be so melancholy. It tampers with the spirit of growth, after all."

"Ohhh…kayyy? I didn't know it was that deep."

Spyro leaned forward and waved a paw out into the air, almost stumbling. It sounded like the speaker was right in front of him, invisible.

"This is cool," Spyro said, wandering around in a little perimeter. "Where exactly are you, Cosmos?"

The clan leader replied, "Near enough. I'm just passing through."

"You sound as upset as I feel," Spyro noticed. "What's up with you?"

Cosmos didn't answer. Spyro thought he had already left and was going to move on when he heard the sigh.

"Consider me unlucky, or misfortunate. You'll get the news soon…" Cosmos said.

Of all dragons, it was bizarrely unsettling for Cosmos to be openly distressed. It didn't help Spyro's mood at all.

"Great, more bad news?" Spyro pushed.

"Yes. And I know it's easier said than done, but there will be times where we can't afford to wallow in sorrow or self-pity. Especially not ourselves, Spyro! It's within a dragon's nature to learn, readapt, and reconfigure. Most times, we are able to overcome what we weren't able to before. It's why many other races tend to see us as highly sacred creatures."

"Whoa, really?" Spyro said, raising an eye ridge. "I don't feel sacred."

"Well, neither do most dragons. Can you see the sort of pressure that's been placed on our shoulders? If you can recall, this very reason is why Miss Elora and Mr. Hunter summoned you to Avalar."

"Whoa, whoa, now. I had help there. A lot of it."

"Yes, of course, but you still see my point, correct? We're surely not deities. Though," Cosmos sighed again. "I admit that at times, I wish I had greater power and know-all."

"Why?" Spyro snorted. "Is it on your bucket list to take over the world or something?"

That worked a chuckle out of Cosmos. "That'd be the easiest thing to do for a dragon with the right power and mindset. Oh! That reminds me of something I had to ask you."

Spyro drew a blank, puzzled. "Uh…the topic of taking over the world reminded you of me?"

"Your age," Cosmos urged. "How old are you again?"

"Twelve. Why?"

"How have you felt different?"

Spyro was a little surprised. "Oh, uh…there are several things I've been noticing."

"Tell me what, then, even the smallest things. Only if you're comfortable, Spyro."

"For starters, my horns started getting itchy around a month ago," Spyro complained. "They've been pestering me on and off. The same thing with my scales, 'cept they've been aching a little. That started the morning of my twelfth birthday."

"Ah, okay…"

"Let's see, what else, what else…oh! Yeah, my wings. They feel stronger, but," Spyro scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I still can't fly. I can't take off, but it feels like I should be able to. It's mad frustrating. Hey! I've been practicing my fire-breathing! I've been doing really good lately. Does that count?"

"All of it does. It's very good."

"Okay! What for, though?"

"You've reached that age where a dragon's abilities really begin to bloom. Your own unique mark or power, something tied to your soul, often manifests after the first dozen years of your life," Cosmos said. "It's how we're created by design. You're growing up, Spyro."

"Oh. Yeah, that flew over my head at first. Y'know, I do wish I were at least a few inches taller. I'd like to stop looking up at Elora just to talk to her," Spyro cracked. "…so this unique thing is like, legit? You've never mentioned it before."

"It just wasn't the time until now. Now you have understanding. And so, I wouldn't want you to be taken off guard if something especially peculiar happens," Cosmos said, now sounding more like his mischievous self. "Growing pains can be awkward. Keep a closer eye on yourself, and you'll see what I mean."

Another warm gust of wind rifled the grass. Spyro sensed Cosmos was about to leave. "Wait, Cosmos! What was it like for you?"

"Drat! You caught me before I could go," Cosmos said lightly.

"Whoa, was it that bad?"

"Well, it's…the dreaded question every older dragon tries to avoid. You see, my pains were not mild or inconspicuous. My tail and horns doubled their length overnight…while I was asleep!"

Spyro burst into laughter.

"I'm serious! Oh, goodness, I couldn't stop tripping for months! What a nightmare it was learning to fly! My wings were a little slow to grow out."

"Oh! Maybe that's the same for me!" Spyro said eagerly. "You think I'll be able to fly before I turn thirteen?"

"It's an easy possibility. You'll be a strong dragon on all fronts…think of all those adventures you've had before now! They've made a difference!" Cosmos cried. "But you must have patience, Spyro. To borrow from Lateef's wisdom, I would expect the unexpected…"


Stone Hill—Spyro and Sparx's Spire

…and prepare for what's not there.

Spyro laid on his grassy cot, staring at the wall. He was back in a sour mood. He'd already had enough of the unexpected over the last two days. He was still a little cautious from his talk with Cosmos.

I'm not sure how I can prepare for growing up…especially if it can come outta nowhere, he thought anxiously. Oh, man. It's gonna be hard if something crazy happens and I can't control it. What would my friends say? That'd be an awkward conversation. I wish I were a psychic like Lateef or…

…no.

Not like…her.

Now that Cynder had shamelessly revealed herself, Spyro knew she wasn't a psychic. It made him realize how creepy it was she knew about him and found out where he lived.

Something crashed into the back of his head and Spyro scrabbled up, welling fire into his chest. Sparx danced in front of him with crossed eyes, flailing his tongue out.

Spyro groaned, flopping back down to his side. "Dude, you almost scared the fire outta me."

"Ha-ha, gotcha! What's good, man?" asked Sparx, flying into Spyro's eyes. "The Ghost of Cosmos Past came and told me you were bummed out."

"Yeah…imagine this. Cynder's a fake. She told me. She lied about the whole thing."

Sparx sighed, dropping his antennae. "Oh, by your ancestors…I wish I could say I was surprised…"

"I know, man. I should've…"

"All you did was take her words for face value, and all I did was have a feeling. Doesn't have to mean one or the other was wrong," Sparx insisted. "Zrrt, she's a dang good liar."

"Yeah…"

This bites hard. I'm sorry. You were so happy with her."

"…yeah," Spyro repeated with a sigh.

Sparx's glow flickered a little and he winced. The dragonfly came to rest next to his best friend, leaning in between the dragon's spines.

"So…let's make a plan with Bianca," Sparx said lowly. "She can come up with a hurricane spell, throw Cynder into it, blow her out of the Dragon Realms, and bam! Right into a volcano. An active one!"

Spyro snickered. "Pfft, chill out, dude. If she takes the hint, she'll just go back to where she came from."

"What if she doesn't? Then can we use the volcano?"

"Sure, go ahead. I'll just pretend that I knew or saw nothing."

"But seriously…why'd she come up with this wild story in the first place?!" Sparx raged. "When you think about how far she went, that's just cold! She really expected you to be okay with this?!"

"It's…I don't know, Sparx. It's weird. I'm all creeped out. It makes my scales crawl when I remember how she was gushing," Spyro said, scratching at his horns. "…ugh! I really don't want to see her face again. I hope she leaves. I really hope she just leaves."

"What if...I told you I could cheer you up?"

"Go ahead, shoot. You might miss."

"Nuh uh! I was in Town Square earlier. Hunter had this big Mutrut carcass, and—"

Spyro popped up, sending his dragonfly tumbling. "WHAT! Really?! Oh, man, how big was it?!"

"Purple piglet," Sparx teased. "You'll have to find out at the festival."

Mutrut were a bestial breed of sheep that lived in Alpine Ridge, twice as aggressive and smarter than normal sheep, and two hundred times better tasting. Typically, the dragons only ate them for very special occasions. Spyro had only had it three times in his life and he was looking to the fourth.

"You're drooling," Sparx said. He backflipped three times in the air, glowing brightly. "Everything there looks awesome. And think of it. All the babies and the daddies and the mommy dragons and the dragonflies—yo! Hey, wanna go see how Elora's doing in Town Hall?"

"You saw? Is she finished?!"

"Ehhh, yeah, but I wasn't invited in. I looked through one of the windows real quick and man, it looks legit. She's been so modest about it, too."

"Let's go," Spyro said boldly, feeling his spirit reignite. "I gotta see for myself!"

Sparx bolted outside, yelling, "Race you there, hornhead!"

Spyro charged after him, grinning. As they both vanished through the hills, a small figure watched them from the top of the spire.

Cynder wore a sad frown. She had heard everything. Against her better judgment, she spread her wings and took flight after them.