Welcome one and all to the My Gift to You Birthday Special! That's right, just like every year on my birthday, at least for the last few years, I'm giving the presents for once and sending out an update to all my active stories just for you, my readers. This is Part I. And last time, we got a pretty grim moment in Crime Alley, where Beth Kane was gunned down by the Joker of the Dark Knights, who remember is an alternate version of Kate Kane. And all of that after being pursued by the new Mad Hatter, an obsessed fan of hers from her past, who seems to be working for Joker to find some kind of "shade" as Mad Hatter referred to it. So, what awaits now? Read on to discover...
(Our scene opens back aboard the Waverider, namely in the cargo hold where Spyro and Flash are testing Flash's control over his newly acquired and controlled Fire Element. And needless to say, Spyro is impressed.)
Spyro: You've really taken to the Fire element, Barry.
Flash: Hard to believe, just a day or two ago, this seemed near impossible to control, now it's like second nature!
Spyro: It certainly took less time for you than it did for me. Then again, I was recovering from knowing I wasn't actually a gigantic dragonfly.
Flash: (Completely taken aback by that) Wait, that was true?
Spyro: Yeah, it's weird. (Thinks about something) I wonder how the others are doing...
Flash: (Puts a reassuring hand on Spyro's shoulder) We'll find a way to get you home.
Spyro: Cynder and I aren't going anywhere until Malefor is defeated, you can count on that.
(And as if summoned by the mere mention of her name, Cynder enters the cargo hold)
Cynder: Hope I'm not interrupting anything.
Spyro: Just seeing where Barry is with his new element. And he's doing pretty good actually.
Cynder: Guess you two are both flaming aces.
Spyro: (Throws a wing over Cynder) Happy to dazzle you, my little kekäle.
(As Spyro plants a kiss on Cynder's cheek, she can't help but blush with a chuckle at this moment between them)
Flash: Seems like you two have a pretty good relationship. If that little pet name is anything to go by.
Cynder: I'd hope so, we were supposed to be wed before all this happened.
Flash: Wait, you're getting married? Congrats you two!
Spyro: Well, we will be, once this madness with Malefor is wrapped up.
Cynder: (Remembers something) Oh yeah, that's why I came down here. Sara sent me down, she thinks we've got a lead on one of our missing Elements.
Spyro: Well what are we waiting for?! Let's get after it!
(With no hesitation in his stride, Spyro heads straight for the bridge at top speed.)
Flash: Well he's rather excitable.
Cynder: That's always been his thing, remaining hopeful, even in the darkest of times. Something Ignitus instilled pretty deeply into him. (Thinks about it) Yet another thing you two have in common.
Flash: (As the two head off towards the bridge) Come again?
Cynder: While you and Spyro were training, I took the liberty on reading up on your past adventures. Everybody's really, so I knew who we were working with. You've always seemed to be this team's bastion of hope.
Flash: (Thinks back on his past) Now that you mention it, I guess that fits...
Cynder: It's a talent very few have. I pray to the Ancestors that you never lose it. Especially not at a time like this.
Flash: Don't worry. I won't.
(As Flash and Cynder catch up with Spyro through the bridge door, our tale ends for today)
This concludes Part I of the My Gift to You Birthday Special. For Part II, head on over to A Song of Spiders and Dragons. So, a little quality time with Spyro and Cynder. And yes, Spyro does have a pet name for Cynder. Fun fact though, Kekäle is actually Cynder's name in the Finnish translation of the Legend of Spyro games, which is actually Finnish for... cinder. How original. I've always pictured Spyro using this as a pet name for her for some reason. And yes, we will learn Cynder's pet name for Spyro by the time this is over. So, it looks like there's a lead on the missing Elements. Which one is it and where are we headed? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!