Chapter 1 - Not in the Dragon Realms Anymore

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Grogginess muddled Spyro's mind as he stirred from slumber.

The first thing that hit him was the dull throbs plaguing his muscles. They felt like jelly. Even shaking his head to clear himself of drowsiness took a great deal of effort.

Spyro rubbed his eyes. Ugh, what's going on? Wait, I'm alive? What happened? Everything went white after I tried to mend the world back together… Did we win?

He gasped. Cynder! Was she alright?

In the blink of an eye, Spyro jumped up to his paws. It proved to be a mistake — the sudden motion made his muscles erupt with pain. Grunting, Spyro collapsed, whumping into the soft surface below.

Ow… That was careless.

He felt something brushing up against his left arm. Intrigued, Spyro turned his head to his left. A black dragoness lay there, fast asleep and curled up.

Spyro let out a sigh of relief. Good, she's safe. Scrutinizing her more, he saw she had some type of cloth wrapped around some parts of her body. Spyro frowned. Looking at himself, he noticed the same cloth covering parts of himself. These things kind of look like bandages… Did someone find us? His eyes widened as the realization hit him. Wait, that means we did it! Everyone is safe!

Spyro internally cheered, grinning. However, he soon found himself confused as he took in his surroundings. Where did we end up, though? I don't recognize this place...in more ways than one.

The nature of the room Spyro found himself in was unlike anything he had ever seen before, yet it was eerily familiar at the same time. He could recognize that he and Cynder were resting in some form of bed, even if it was elevated from the ground and bouncier than the futons he was used to. He also spotted wardrobes and drawers, although the designs were different. The walls stumped him, however: He could not recognize the material but was sure it could be neither stone nor wood.

Carefully, the purple dragon climbed up to his paws. Easy does it, Spyro. Easy does it.

Spyro's claws clacked against the wooden floor as he hopped down from the bed. First things first, I have to find out where I am. I hope whoever lives here hasn't left or something. That would make things awkward if Cynder or I ever got hungry.

The door wasn't too far. As Spyro sneaked his way out into the hallway, muffled voices became clearer. Following their source, he found that it led downstairs. He paused at the top of the stairs. While he could go down and announce his presence, the more prudent choice was to lie in wait and eavesdrop, as rude as that may be. As such, the purple dragon strained his ears to follow the ongoing conversation.

"—think we'll be able to keep them?" a chipper, female voice said. "Please! I'll take good care of them. I'll wash them, feed them, walk them, and everything else in between!"

A sigh replied to her, followed by a male voice saying, "They're not dogs, Cécile. They're most likely just as intelligent as us. And hopefully, not dangerous or hungry."

"Huh." A brief pause. "Well, for your information, Xavier, if they plan on eating us, you better be prepared to act as bait so I can escape. Getting eaten alive is not on my bucket list!"

"Wow. Your concern over my wellbeing is very much appreciated."

Spyro snorted. He had heard enough. Really? Eat someone? Us? Come on, now. We're not barbarians! He walked down the stairs and rounded the corner. He prepared to give them a piece of his mind, but he stopped, befuddled. What the heck?

Standing in the room were two beings he could only describe as furless apes. A female-looking one was behind the back of a couch that faced toward the middle of the room. She wore an attire that Spyro couldn't describe, as he had never seen robes like hers. The fur on her head was chestnut and went down to her shoulders. Toward the middle of the room, a male-looking ape faced her. Just like the female, his attire was foreign to Spyro. A pair of spectacles adorned his face. He had short, dishevelled, black fur atop his head. Both of them had pale, peach skin, and the latter was noticeably taller than the other.

They were also staring back at him. Spyro must have not been as silent as he thought going down the stairs.

The male one, Xavier, shuffled awkwardly on his feet. "Oh, you're, uh…you're awake." He put his hand behind his head. "Say, you didn't happen to be listening in on our conversation, right?"

In his stunned stupor, Spyro could only dumbly shake your head.

The female one, Cécile, bolted around the couch and retreated behind Xavier. "We're really sorry about the prejudice! You're the first real dragon we've ever encountered!" She peeked around his back. "But, uh, just so we're clear, you wouldn't happen to want to snack on us, right?"

Spyro shook himself out of it. Come on, Spyro, get a grip! You've faced weirder things than this. "N-no. No, I'm not planning on eating anyone, for that matter." But if we're talking about mutilating…

Cécile sighed in relief. She walked out from behind Xavier and approached him. Spyro took on a guarded stance. "Hello, mister dragon. My name's Cécile. It's great to meet you!" She grinned. "What's your name?"

The purple dragon growled. "I see no reason to give my name to an ape." Even if they looked odd, they had to be apes. He didn't know what this "Cécile's" deal was, but perhaps she was trying to butter him up so he would drop his guard and plunge a hidden weapon into his throat. Either that or this was a diversion so her ally could sneak up behind him and try snapping his neck. After all, trickery was the apes' forte; they would never be able to beat a dragon in a fair fight.

Cécile frowned, putting her hands on her hips. "Who are you calling an ape? I'm a human, you know."

"You look the same as an ape to me, so why should I trust you?" He took a step forward and bared his fangs.

The girl backed up, looking frightened. "Well, I-I—"

Xavier put himself between Cécile and Spyro. "Look, dragon, I don't know what your beef is, but if we wanted to harm you or whatever, you wouldn't be sleeping in a bed, nor would we have taken the time to tend to your injuries. So cool it, okay?"

He glared down at Spyro, who glared right back. The purple dragon wanted to believe he was lying — any excuse to tear an ape apart was valid — but the longer he glared at Xavier, the more he realized his delusion.

The human was right. If they wanted to harm Cynder and him, they would have done so a long time ago.

Sighing, Spyro backed off, sitting on his haunches. "I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions without thinking things through." He put a paw on his chest. "My name is Spyro. It's good to meet you."

Xavier deflated, bringing a hand to his chest as he panted. "I think I saw my life flash before my eyes..." Clearing his throat, he righted himself and beamed as he put a hand on his hip. "My name is Xavier. And the pleasure is mine."

"So, you were the one who found us?" Spyro asked.

"Quite right," Xavier replied with a nod. "It was freaky, honestly. You wouldn't believe my reaction when I went to investigate a weird sound coming from our backyard, only to find a swirling vortex just…" Xavier gestured with his hands in bewilderment. "...there. And before I could even fathom it, you and that other dragon popped out of it, looking worse than Yamcha after fighting a Saibamen."

Spyro frowned. Huh? A portal took us here? But why? Why here in this unknown place instead, I don't know, the Valley of Avalar?

His thoughts were cut short as Cécile sauntered over to Spyro. "Man, did you see that, Xavier? Dragons are so much more terrifying when they're staring you down with murderous intent!"

Spyro tilted his head to the side. "You sure got over that quickly. And what did you mean earlier by 'first real dragon'? You've never seen one before?"

Cécile shook his head. "Only in stories, though interpretations vary drastically depending on the writer. There's mean dragons, nice dragons, and everything in between."

That was news to Spyro. "Huh. That's weird." These humans had no knowledge of dragons? Had no dragons populated this place ever? This much ignorance of the facts could only happen if he had landed in a shut-in society or something.

"Is it?" Xavier crossed his arms. "Because you've obviously never seen a human before if you were calling us apes."

Spyro flinched and chuckled nervously. "Touché."

"Say, do you think I could pet you?" Cécile shyly asked.

The purple dragon recoiled, one foreleg lifting off the ground. "I'd really rather not, no offense."

She slumped, disappointed. "Awwww…"

Soft pawsteps thumping against the floor reached Spyro's ears. Looking behind him, he spotted a groggy Cynder walking up to him. "Oh, there you are, Spyro." She yawned. "Any idea what's going on or where we are?" She noticed Cécile and Xavier beyond Spyro, eyes widening.

Now fully alert, she crouched into a fighting stance, hissing. "What are those filthy apes doing here?" she spat. "Did they capture us?"

Cécile recoiled in shock while Xavier facepalmed and said, "Oh boy…"

Spyro held up his paw placatingly. "Calm down, Cynder. They mean no harm. Just let me explain."

Everyone made themselves comfortable for ease of conversation. Spyro and Cynder sat together on one couch; Cécile and Xavier sat on the other one which was at a perpendicular angle from the first one. Spyro relayed the information he had learned to Cynder, with the humans chiming in to correct or add extra detail when necessary.

Cynder frowned. She didn't know what to make of this. Friendly, ape-like creatures called humans? Architecture that vastly differed from what she was used to? Just where had they ended up exactly? And why here of all places? "Could you tell us what this place is?"

Xavier smirked. "Why, my dear Cynder, this is our house. It provides housing, storage, and a plethora of other utilities."

Cynder rolled her eyes. "Very funny. Care to give a real answer?"

He chuckled. "We're in the United States of Amerinada — or just 'Amerinada' for short. Does it ring a bell?"

She shook her head. I've never heard of such a place. Just how far are we from Warfang? Or is this place hidden from the rest of the world via an illusion? It would take a lot of resources to maintain such an illusion, depending on the size of this land.

"Wait a sec. Where are you guys from?" Cécile asked.

"We're from Warfang," Spyro replied. "Ever heard of it?"

Xavier and Cécile shared a look that said it all.

Cynder sighed. Yeah, didn't think so.

Xavier fidgeted with his fingers. "Spyro, Cynder, you know how I said you two fell out of a portal?"

They nodded.

"Well, I think we shouldn't rule out the possibility that maybe there is perhaps a possible inkling of possibility that perchance you have possibly come from another world entirely. Mayhap."

Cynder's eyes widened. Oh. "You mean that as in, we're stuck here?"

"Of course not!" Xavier shook his hands frantically. "I'm sure we can find a way to get you back home." He rubbed the back of his head. "I just, you know, have no idea how to do that currently."

Cynder couldn't help the knot forming in her stomach as the realization washed over her. Spyro and she were most likely stranded, wrenched away from everything familiar to them. Was there even a way back? What if this alien world was their new home? How could she even cope with that fact?

Actually, do I even want to go back?

Cynder didn't have anything to return to: no parents, no home, no friends apart from Spyro and Sparx...

Actually, that was inaccurate. She did have one thing: her reputation. If she went back, she could rest assured that her life would be a living nightmare, for she would have to deal with the consequences of her past. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise. The black dragoness could start anew in a world that knew nothing of her crimes as the Terror of the Skies!

But what about Spyro? He would definitely want to return. Unlike her, he had plenty of things to return to: a caring family, a home, countless friends, and so much more. Moreover, he would be regarded as a hero, not only because he was the purple dragon of legend but because he had saved the world.

Cynder's head began to spin. What if she and Spyro ended up drifting apart because of this? "I-I need to lie down for a while. Excuse me."

Spyro gave her a sympathetic look. "Cynder..."

She hopped down the couch and headed toward the stairs, though her legs were wobbly.

"You sure you don't want something to eat first?" Xavier asked.

Cynder's stomach grumbled at the mention of food, but she wasn't about to give in. "I'll be fine, thanks." She tried climbing the stairs but struggled. Her legs had no strength to give, sapped from her turmoil.

Suddenly, Spyro was at her side, lending his support. "Here, let me help."

Cynder silently thanked him. With his help, they made it up the stairs and into the bedroom. The black dragoness separated from the purple dragon. "I'll be fine now, thanks."

He nodded and moved toward the door.

"Um, Spyro?"

He paused and looked back at her. "Yeah?"

"If..." Cynder gulped as she sat on her rump. She knew what she wanted to say. She needed to ask this, or else it would never leave her alone. But she dreaded the answer, if her rising heartbeat wasn't a clear enough indication. In a trembling voice, she asked, "If we ever found a way to go back, but I chose to stay here, would you go back regardless?"

The purple dragon's eyes widened. "That is...unexpected."

"Please, Spyro, answer the question." Cynder couldn't have sounded more desperate.

Spyro walked up to her, his expression radiating pure compassion. "Cynder, you know very well what my answer would be."

Wincing, her head fell. Cynder fought back tears. She should have expected this. Of course he would choose to go back! He had nothing but glory awaiting him, unlike her.

A wing wrapped around her back. "Cynder, look at me."

The black dragoness braved a look at the purple dragon who had sat down beside her.

"I know that you've suffered a lot back in our realm, that you're facing hardship for things outside of your control. You're probably thinking you can start anew here, since no one knows of your past as the Terror of the Skies, right?"

Sniffing, Cynder nodded. He couldn't keep that away from him. Spyro could prove to be surprisingly sharp at times.

"In that case, would it truly make you happy to start over here, knowing you're only running away from your problems?"

She scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You're adored by everyone back there — I mean, you saved the whole damned realm!"

"We saved the whole realm. I couldn't have done it without you. I'll make them understand that. And if they don't want to, I'll pummel it into them!"

The mental image of Spyro assaulting a dragon got a snicker from her, as morbid as that was.

"My point is, you're a hero, Cynder. You deserve to be treated as such, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure they respect you." He nuzzled Cynder's neck. "So give our realm a chance, alright?"

She sighed. "Alright, fine." She rubbed the tears out of her eyes before giving a wry smile. "I'll hold you to it. If everyone doesn't love me one week after we've returned, I'll kick you out of the house!"

Spyro recoiled, befuddled. "Oi, who said you're going to be living with me?"

"Wow, so you would leave a homeless dragoness to fend for herself?" Cynder stuck her tongue out. "Shame on you, purple dork."

The two dragons shared a laugh. Really, Cynder couldn't have asked for a better friend. Spyro knew just what to say to cheer her up.

The purple dragon removed his wing from her back. "Will you be alright, now?"

"Mhm," Cynder replied nodding. "Wait, actually... Do you mind lying down with me?"

"Not at all."

Cynder jumped onto the bed, Spyro following after her. They curled up next to each other, and Spyro rested his wing over her. Whenever Spyro was close to her, she always felt safe. He was like an impenetrable barrier that kept her worries at bay. His protectiveness of her was one of the qualities Cynder admired, even though she was stubborn to accept relying on him for comfort at first.

Cynder loved Spyro. She could only hope that he had heard her back then.

"Sweet dreams, Spyro."

"You too."

Xavier flopped back onto the couch, sighing. "You know, I can't help but feel worried."

Cécile rightened herself in her sitting position, frowning. "How come?"

"You saw how banged up they were coming out of the portal. What if whatever caused that comes back for seconds?"

She shivered and hugged herself. "Don't say stuff like that! Instead of imagining silly scenarios, why don't you just ask them?"

He shrugged. "I mean, sure, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious."

Cécile scoffed. "You mean 'paranoid', I think. Really, you can keep your conspiracy theories to yourself." She stood up from the couch and walked away. Xavier heard her grabbing a bag of potato chips from the pantry before she went upstairs.

He scowled and rolled his eyes. "Tch. Vraiment, quel gamine..."

AN:

Hello! And welcome. I present to you this original the story; please donut steel.

I'm going to say it. This story format is slept on. And I'm going to prove it. Consider this story a showcase of the bower (not a typo) of pure vibes and a simple inversion of a tired premise. Indeed, why have Human #68421 get sent into the Dragon Realms when you can do the opposite? Have you ever seen a story about a dragon going to Walmart? That's right. It's time to get goofy, time to turn the brain off! So relax, dear reader, and enjoy the shenanigans of this slice-of-life dramedy.

Welcome to San Francisco, Cynder by TheChase88 is a fic that played a big part in inspiring me. It's a story that I think will be stuck in perpetual hiatus limbo, sadly, but I recommend checking it out anyway. Oh, there's also Dragon Maid of manga/anime fame, I guess.

Big shout-out to the amazing Linkuser2 for agreeing to be my beta reader! He'll be knocking some sense into me whenever my writing gets too goofy for its own good. Be sure to check out his story, TLOS: Daybreak, after this. He's cooking something fine.

I will be dropping biweekly uploads. Some may call it folly, but I'm not backing down — I will be based or die trying. There is no in-between. In the meantime, be sure to follow and favourite the story, and leave a review while you're at it. If you do, I'll have Cynder call you her little pogchamp.

I am, of course, LYING. I know you're based enough that you don't need bribes. Those would make it less authentic anyway. See you guys then. See ya!

Character Bio: Xavier

Sex: Male
Age: 19
Hit: Comics & Manga
Miss: Gremlins

Extra Notes: Provisional parent and/or big brother of the group, his single goal is to make it through the day without the house being blown to smithereens. Pray for him. He might just need it.

Character Bio: Cécile

Sex: Female
Age: 14
Hit: Animals
Miss: Authority

Extra Notes: Absolute gremlin! Don't let her out of your sight if you value your limbs, Xavier would say. Don't worry, though. Cécile only tries to burn down the house on weekends. ;P