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Sir MountCastle: Okay, just because you're right doesn't mean you gotta say it like that, bro. Now you've got me feeling self-conscious about my ignorance, smh my head.

"Not always horror" doesn't cut it — all or nothing; it's the only way to go! …Though, I seem able to stomach (watching people play) games like Lethal Company, Content Warning, or R.E.P.O.

Um, excuse you. I'll let you know a babysitting chapter has been planned for a long time. I'm not that carried by your suggestions.

Don't worry about it. Bahamut appears when it's relevant and disappears into the aether when it isn't. :)

You don't understand children. It's not about the quality of the rice. It's about sending a message.

No comment. Who knows? Maybe Fragment just wants to help solve climate change.

Yes, that is indeed where she learned it. Malefor needed a versatile servant, an all-rounder he could send to destroy his opposi-nyan. ...Damn it, it's spreading.

Dr. Kocktor: I still haven't forgiven you for that. You're on thin ice, Mr. Kock.

I don't know what this "Mage: the Awakening" is, but hey, Fragment could have been bluffing. For all you know, Cole might have fumbled his chance at victory. Now we're going in overtime.

Austin: You underestimate Xavier. If he had been there, he would have scolded Remy and told him to apologize. What was he going to do, disobey his elder?

Cole can do plenty of things to Fragment. I should start writing Cole-centric omakes to showcase these, actually.

Furry ears. Furry ears for all.

Only 11 inches? Try forty centimetres in under a week. It's a fun time, trust me. /s

Xavier is not him yet. That won't be possible. Yet.

Thank you. My next chapter will be...heh. Out when it's ready.

Chapter 10: Two-sided Blooming

…

"Which colour do you want? Ruby red or gleaming green would match your features, but I think going for a bold blue would help you stand out more."

Cynder was unsure what to reply. When Cécile had asked her if she had ever done any girly stuff, like painting her claws, she'd replied with a perplexed look. What kind of ridiculous activity was that? Astonished, Cécile had vowed to correct this grievous mistake — her words, not Cynder's — immediately, and she kidnapped the black dragoness, bringing her to her room. The rest was history.

Cynder gave a half-hearted whine. "It's your pick, I guess."

"Alright, then. Bold blue it is." Cécile took the bottle and sat down next to Cynder on the bed. She unscrewed the cap and put the bottle on a nearby nightstand. "Give me your paw," she said, grinning.

Cynder obliged, tentatively putting her left paw in her awaiting left hand. Cécile began coating her claws in nail polish. The black dragoness turned away, feeling her cheeks burning from embarrassment. "Are you humans so bored you've come to resort to painting your nails?"

Cécile scoffed. "It's not about boredom. It's about style, fashion!"

"I-I see…" Cynder cleared her throat. "So, all humans put this much effort into their outward appearances?"

"Eh… It's complicated. To me, though, it's super satisfying looking my best self, especially for special occasions!"

Cynder hummed but said nothing else. If Cécile did it for self-satisfaction, what did other humans do it for? Perhaps she could query other humans once she got the chance.

Cécile finished painting her paw's claws and asked for the other. Cynder obliged, and she looked at her left paw, now sporting blue-coloured claws, while Cécile worked on her right paw.

She couldn't stop herself from blushing. Seriously, what sort of nutjob would come up with such an activity? Where has dignity gone for these humans? Why did I even let Cécile convince me to try it out?

Soon, Cécile was finished.

"Ta-daaaahh! Well? How do you like it?"

Cynder looked at her paws. The cerulean hues coating her claws stared back. "I think I could die and join my Ancestors," she deadpanned.

She slapped her back. "Come on, don't say that! You look amazing!"

"I look like I'd fit in a circus." Cynder sagged and buried her head in her paws. "I don't know how you can handle it, but the embarrassment is killing me."

"You shouldn't knock it until you've asked for others' opinions. Like a certain purple boy, perhaps?" She smirked.

Cynder straightened up as fast as a bullet. "Absolutely not! He'd ridicule me until the end of time! Besides, I haven't seen him all day; I have no idea where he is." She gave a defeated sigh.

"Hm." Cécile tapped her lips with her index thoughtfully. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, why do you like Spyro so much?"

Cynder winced. There it was. While she had been preparing herself for the question just in case, Cynder would have preferred that it never come. At least I can get it over with, once and for all. "I'd have to explain a few things to get you situated."

"Sure, I've got time."

Cynder took a deep breath. "Remember how we talked about Malefor and the war that he brought?"

Cécile snorted. "Oh, yeah. I distinctly remember wanting to slug a certain douche."

Cynder chuckled, but her mirth evaporated all but instantaneously. "Well, what I neglected to mention is that I was a part of Malefor's army — as an unwilling servant."

"For real?" Cécile blurted out, eyes wide in shock.

"When I was a youngling, he made me undergo a ritual, aging me up and turning me into a brainwashed general of his army. As the Terror of the Skies, I committed countless war crimes. The worst part is that I was aware the whole time. It was as if I'd become a prisoner in my body, forced to watch some twisted, hellish movie."

Cécile covered her mouth with her hand. "That must have been horrible. I'm so sorry."

Cynder couldn't stop shaking. "It really was. I thought I would never be free from that nightmare. Until Spyro came. He defeated me and cleansed me from Malefor's control."

"Awesome! I'll be sure to give the purple boy extra pets for that one."

"The story doesn't end there," Cynder said dryly. "My problems weren't over now that I was free. I still had to deal with the consequences of the Terror's actions." She gave Cécile a hard look. "How would you cope knowing your body was used to commit crimes without your wanting to?"

She gave a sheepish look. "Not well."

"Exactly." Cynder's paw went to her forehead, and she shook her head. "Spyro brought me to the old dragon temple, and the Guardians took me in, although it took some convincing. It was horrible. With my conscience restored, I suffered constant nightmares. It was like the ghosts of my victims were getting revenge on me. There I was, trapped in a new prison, a prison of remorse and self-loathing. I'd thought about ending my life, but whether through starvation or throwing myself from a great height, I didn't have the guts.

"Through it all, Spyro tried to get closer to me. I pushed him away every time, and while he did respect my boundaries, he would never abandon me. He brought food to my room every day, brought activities and books to do or read, or asked me if there was ever something I needed to make myself feel more at home.

"Honestly, it baffled me. 'Why would he try to associate himself with a monster like me?' I thought. So, one day, I asked him the question. Do you know what he replied?" Cynder asked, tail swishing behind her.

Cécile shook her head. "What did he say?"

" 'Don't call yourself that. All I see is a fellow dragon.' I never realized how much I needed to hear that until the words left his lips. However, I was initially in denial, so I tried to prove to him that his kindness was wasted on me through…" She blushed and averted her gaze. "Y-you know what? Never mind."

"What? Come on, you've got to tell me!"

Cynder groaned. "Promise me you won't laugh."

"I promise I'll try not to."

She sighed. "I pulled what I thought were heinous acts of villainy. In reality, they were just a bunch of harmless pranks."

A snicker escaped Cécile. She slammed her hand over her mouth and did her best to compose herself.

Cynder pouted. "This is what I get for opening up…"

"No, no, I was laughing about something else. Don't worry." After regaining her composure, she breathed a sigh. "What happened after?"

"Funnily enough, my pranks are what made the others start to change their mind. Flame and Ember approached me, and together with Spyro and Sparx, we formed a friend group — which I was reluctant to be a part of. Slowly, the Guardians also started seeing me differently. Apart from Ignitus, whenever I crossed paths with them, they would normally ignore me or look at me with scorn, but soon, they were acknowledging or greeting me.

"The more days I spent in the temple, the more I started to question myself. It wasn't like my guilt was disappearing. It just felt unimportant whenever my friends barged into my room or dragged me out to play with them. I finally started to feel normal." Cynder breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wow…" Cécile smiled. "That was quite the tale."

That's actually the short version, but we can save the extended cut for another time. "Yeah. Do you understand now?"

Cécile grinned. "Absolutely! And I'm sure Spyro thinks the same! Why, I can imagine him practicing his speech right now."

Cynder's look went flat. "Let's not turn hope into a daydream, okay?"

Cécile's phone buzzed. She took it out of her pocket to check it out. Her eyes seemed to light up.

"What is it?" Cynder asked.

She stuffed the phone back into her pocket. "Nothing important. I just remembered I forgot something in the basement. Could you go get it for me?"

Cynder frowned. "What? Go get it yourself. I'm not your errand dragon."

"Come on, Cyn. Pleeeaase?" She gave a pleading look.

Cynder was unfazed.

"I'll shower you with extra affection if you do this for me."

The black dragoness sighed. "Fine. What am I looking for?"

Cécile cheered. "Thanks! Just a small book. I think I left it on the couch."

Rolling her eyes, the black dragoness walked out of the room.

"Heh." Cécile smirked. "Let's see where this goes, Xavier."

Pacing around the room, Spyro was struggling to compound his feelings into an adequate speech. He had been trying all morning to figure out how she could tell Cynder, but no matter what he came up with, it didn't feel right.

He shot Xavier a look, who was busy reading the manga he had seen him read yesterday. "Oi, could you lend me some help?"

"Yeah, yeah, be right there." Xavier flipped the page. "Just let me finish this chapter."

Spyro's eye twitched. Really? Ignoring a friend in need? For a book? He walked up to him, snatched the book between his jaws, and tossed it away.

"Hey! What was that for?"

Spyro put his head where Xavier's book had been. Sitting down, he took Xavier's hands and pressed them against either side of his face, beaming. "If you have time to read, you have time to pet or help me."

Xavier wrenched his hands away. "Ugh. You are a pest."

"An adorable pest?" Spyro's tail wagged.

"No." He rubbed his temples. "Fine. What's troubling you?"

"I'm having trouble coming up with what I'll tell Cynder."

"I thought you had it all figured out. What gives?"

Spyro rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I thought I did, but now that I have to put into words, the right ones won't come."

Xavier brought his hand to his chin, which he tapped thoughtfully. "Okay... Why do you even like Cynder? Are you sure it's love?"

"Yes." He frowned. "Er…maybe? Hatchsitting Remy with her made me get this euphoric feeling, especially whenever she would smile."

"Has your relationship always been like that?"

Spyro cocked his head back and forth. "Not exactly, I think. I mean, I've been doing my best to support Cynder ever since freeing her from Malefor's control."

Xavier blinked repeatedly. "Excuse me, what?"

"Oh, right. We never talked about it, did we?"

Spyro told Xavier of Cynder's tragic fate at the paws of Malefor, his encounter with her as the Terror of the Skies, and what led to her eventual freedom when he defeated her in Convexity.

"After I convinced the Guardians to let her stay with us in the temple, she became a shut-in; I presume it was from the guilt of her actions. I hated seeing her suffer like this. Cynder was robbed of her childhood, and I wanted to do everything in my power to restore it. That's what I did to the best of my abilities while trying not to overwhelm her."

"How noble of you," said Xavier, smirking.

"Eventually, I got her to open up. It was a great feeling, but I never thought of it much. Maybe I've always had these 'romantic' feelings for her." He sighed, shoulders drooping. "But that's not going to help me find the right words to express it, isn't it?"

Xavier shrugged. "Just wing it."

It was Spyro's turn to blink in surprise. "Pardon? What sort of advice is that?"

"You're overthinking things. 'Oh no! Woe is me! I must find the right words!' " he said in a mocking, melodramatic voice. "You think Cynder cares about the quality of your words? You think she's going to obliterate you because your speech wasn't pre-meditated enough?"

"W-well, no, but—"

"Then get out there and tell her! If you've found your answer, the words will come naturally."

Spyro hesitated. "Are you sure? I don't feel like I'm ready."

"By the time, you are ready, you will be a corpse. Get out of here before I make you." Xavier cracked his knuckles.

He laughed. "I could take you on in a fight."

Xavier took off his glasses and gave Spyro a deadly glare. "I will disfigure you and tear your wings off. Do not try me, purple bucko."

Spyro's breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened. His instincts screamed at him to hightail it out of there, which he did.

An eerie silence hung in the room.

Sighing, Xavier sank into his chair and put his glasses back on. It paid to have such a high intimidation stat. "Go get her, runt." He took out his phone and texted Cécile with a simple message: "Hey, if Cynder is with you in your room, send her out."

Spyro couldn't find Cynder no matter where he looked. He tried the kitchen, living room, and the basement, but she was nowhere to be found. He sat down on the carpet, wracking his brain for possible solutions. She might be in Cécile's room, but it would be rude to go and knock. What if they were having an important conversation?

Spyro sighed. "This would be much easier if she happened to appear behind me suddenly."

"Spyro?"

He turned around. Cynder was descending the stairs.

Spyro grimaced. It's almost like I summoned her. He shook his head, giving a smile. "Oh, hey Cynder. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for something Cécile forgot. What about you? Were you thinking of playing a video game?"

"N-no." Spyro cleared his throat. "I was actually looking for you." He noticed something different about her, which made him pause. "Oh, did you put…paint on your nails?"

She groaned. "Cécile convinced me to do so. It's a trend amongst humans, apparently. It looks terrible, right?"

"Actually, I think it looks good. The contrast helps you stand out more."

Cynder was stunned. "R-really?" She smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah. So, do you have a minute?"

Cynder's eyes widened. "Uh…yeah, I do." She sat down in front of him.

Spyro fiddled with his paws. "I have been thinking for the past two days, and, um…"

"Yeah? What is it?"

Spyro's throat locked up. He tried to speak, but no words came out. It was as if he had been robbed of the air he needed to speak. He had faced the destruction of the world. Anything else should be a cinch to deal with! Come on, Spyro, out with it!

"I think I'd like to try this dating thing out!" he blurted out.

Cynder looked astonished.

Okay, maybe not that direct. Spyro cleared his throat. "What I mean is, I think that, well, maybe, there is a chance that…the feelings are mutual? It's not like I even know what love is; I could be completely wrong about this, but after we hatchsat Remy together, I got this fuzzy feeling in my chest, and it made me think, is this what love is about? It's true that I've always enjoyed seeing you smile or laugh, but I always figured it was because seeing you sad or remorseful was the painful alternative, I mean, who wouldn't enjoy seeing their friend enjoying themselves, but now that I think about it, maybe I've always been in love with you, but I never knew, which is crazy, my parents never taught me anything about romance, so I think it's natural if—"

"Spyro!"

He gulped. "Y-y-yes?"

Cynder put her paw on his shoulder and pressed her forehead against his, tenderly nuzzling him. Spyro's body felt on fire.

When she pulled back, they were both blushing madly.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

Cynder's tail swished as she gave a bashful look. "S-sorry. It's just, I didn't want you to get lost in your rambles."

Spyro's tail was wagging. "I mean, sure, but did you have to do it like that?"

Gasping, Cynder put her paw over her snout. "Sorry! Was that too soon? Was I too invasive?"

"No, no, not at all! It was…lovely." Spyro looked at the ground as he pawed at it. "That nuzzle felt special."

She nodded. "It's an intimate form of affection. Nuzzling your partner's forehead like that is also known as 'kissing.' " She looked away timidly.

Kissing, huh? A goofy smile spread on Spro's lips. It was a great feeling — pure euphoria condensed into a few-second-long gesture. That settled it. Whatever doubt Spyro had evaporated after Cynder kissed him.

He moved to her side and wrapped a wing around her, pulling her close. Though initially surprised, she melted into the embrace, nuzzling him under the head. Another wave of euphoria washed over Spyro. So, this is what being in love was like? Perhaps he could try it out. Though…

"Just for the record, I have no idea what I'm doing."

Cynder scoffed. "Because you think I have an idea what I'm doing?"

Spyro giggled. "Fair enough."

The dragons intertwined their tails. Whatever hurdle came, they would face it head-on, together.

It didn't work.

Cole had filed orders to lock Fragment up and treat him like a radioactive hazard. Not suffering any nightmares that night brought relief to his tired psyche. However, Fragment's jeering voice returned to haunt him the next day, commenting on his new whereabouts. He had just been playing with Cole, going on about how it wouldn't be that easy to rid himself of him.

The following nights were as nightmarish as usual. Fragment didn't miss an opportunity to torture him and demand Cole's submission. Of course, he would categorically refuse each time, even as his sleep quality reached new lows. He'd rather die than become that thing's pawn.

Lisa grew increasingly worried as Cole's health diminished. He didn't know how much longer he could go while keeping her in the dark about Fragment. Even if she knew, it wouldn't help anyway. The less she had to worry about, the better.

The lab did manage to get some results on the data they acquired from the tests on Fragment's crystal, but it wasn't much. All it did was confirm a link between the abnormal brain waves in Cole's head back to the crystal. Desperate, Cole asked if there was anything they could build to sever that connection, a question that was met with unanimous uncertainty. Still, he urged them to try. A nonzero chance of success was better than giving up. If he could just hold out for a while longer, then there was a chance that he could be free.

That night, Cole went to bed, preparing himself for another tumultuous night. As he lay down, he hissed a question at Fragment. Why won't you give up, parasite? This game has been going on for long enough. You won't have your way with me.

"Hmph, your bravado is admirable," he replied. "But you are correct. This game has drawn on for long enough. How about I cinch it now, hm?"

Cole scoffed. Burn in Hell.

The embrace of sleep soon enveloped Cole.

Cole found himself in front of a burning building. It was his home. Looking around, he couldn't find any traces of Lisa. Dread churned in his gut as he figured she was trapped inside the flames. He dashed inside, braving the smoke and the heat as he called out to Lisa. He made his way to the bedroom and tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge. Grunting, Cole kicked the door off its hinges.

What he saw shocked him to his very core: the mutilated body of her wife. Her assailant, a shadowy figure, stood above her with a knife in his grip.

"Such is the punishment of those who do not heed my command. You're making a big mistake going against me, Cole."

Cole paid no mind to the voice, his focus squarely on his wife's murderer. He clenched his fists. "You bastard!" Roaring, he tackled the shadow to the ground. They started tussling.

"You struggle so hard, but it won't matter in the end. Do you know why that is?"

Cole got the upper hand and pinned the shadow to the ground. The figure was hooded, so he ripped off the hood.

He was not ready for the sight that presented itself to him.

Cole saw himself. However, his double's expression was plastered with a mocking grin, and his eyes were all yellow with slitted pupils.

His doppelganger spoke, but it was Fragment's voice that came out. "Because in the end, I will find a way to make you submit."

Shell-shocked, Cole stood up and backpedalled. He tripped and fell, but he kept falling, and the world around him evaporated as he dropped into a dark abyss.

Cole came back to reality, screaming. He lost his balance and set his hand on the counter. Wait, why was he standing? He noticed he was in the kitchen. His expression morphed into confusion. How the hell did I get here?

The man brought his other hand to massage his throbbing head, but it was clutching something. A knife.

Yelping, Cole dropped the weapon, heart beating a mile a minute. Why…why was a knife in his hand‽ He remembered the nightmare. His throat locked up, and his body heated up from the stress. Was he…Had he…?

Fragment's chuckle made him jump. "Worry not. It's nothing like that. Lisa still lives. But for how long is the real question."

"You bastard parasite! How? How did you control my body‽"

"Simple: You're wearing out, Cole. You may be strong, but how long can you last before the willpower to protect your family becomes the thing that dooms it, hm?"

Cole felt numb. His knees wobbled underneath him, sapped of all strength as the realization sank in. He plopped down onto a chair and covered his hand with his mouth, body trembling. Lisa, dead because of him? Killed by her own husband‽ "You scum…you wouldn't. You wouldn't dare."

"It all depends on your actions. Submit to me and guarantee your family's safety, or doom it to a gruesome, ironic demise."

Cole's free hand tightened into a fist. His world blurred into a whirling mass, making him feel out of breath. Was there nothing else he could do? There had to be another way; becoming a slave was the last thing on Cole's mind, but…

What if he killed himself? If he ended his life right now, he would rob Fragment of a pawn and thwart his plan decisively. But my baby… I would be leaving Lisa to raise a child all alone. And I wouldn't get to see, raise, or play with him or her…

Cole felt like sobbing. He was cornered. Plain and simple. "Don't hurt her," he croaked. "I beg of you, just don't hurt her."

"Then you know what to do."

An utterly defeated sigh escaped his lips. "Fine. I'll do it. I'll work for you." Cole hated the words coming out of his mouth, but he was too numb to express resentment.

Fragment laughed. "There, was that so hard? Like I promised, I showed you where you stood. Now go. You've earned your rest."

Cole didn't have the strength to argue with him. As he dragged himself back to bed, he couldn't help the knot forming in his stomach. But he had no other option but to shoulder this burden alone — for Lisa's and their child's sake.

AN:

Yeah, remember when I said Cole would come out on top? I lied. This was the keikaku all along. (Translator's note: keikaku means plan.) Heheheh, this will be fun to write.

I have bad news: the next chapter will be in a month. My backlog has run dry, which means that, while I stockpile a new one, I can only guarantee monthly updates. Thank you for your understanding.

As always, thank you to the amazing Linkuser2 for being my beta-reader! Check out his story,Daybreak, after this. He's cooking a fine story.

That's all from me. See you guys in a month!

Author-san, signing out.

Xavier and Cécile were spying on the dragons from a safe distance. They shared a fist bump.

Over a Prank‽

…

Xavier came home from the supermarket with a bag of groceries in hand. When he entered the kitchen, Spyro and Cynder came to greet him. "Oh, hi guys."

"Heyo!" Spyro greeted, beaming.

"How was it?" Cynder asked.

Xavier dropped his bag on the counter. "I found everything I needed. In fact, I got something for you two!"

The dragons perked up. They shared a glance. A surprise! What could their human have possibly gotten them?

"Spyro, I got you a chew toy, and Cynder, I got you a yarn ball." Xavier placed the items in front of the respective dragon.

Spyro and Cynder regarded their gifts as if someone had scooped a bowl of sludge and handed it to them.

"So, what do you think?"

A pregnant silence answered him.

Xavier frowned. "Um, guys?"

The dragons looked up at him. Darkness rippled over their scales and encompassed them, and their eyes became empty sockets, glowing white with otherworldly power.

Spyro and Cynder started stalking toward Xavier.

The human recoiled in shock. He backpedalled toward the living room, holding his hands up placatingly. "Guys, it was just a prank; no need to take it so seriously. I was just joking!"

He fell on his rear but kept shuffling backward. "Come on, guys, c-cut it out; you're starting to freak me out. Wait, no! S-stay back! DON'T COME CLOSER!"

Xavier screamed as Spyro and Cynder pounced.

Once a Heretic…

…

Cynder was enjoying her book.

Xavier, clad in Crusader gear, burst into the room, surprising her. "Cynder, what are you reading‽ My heresy senses are tingling."

"N-nothing!" Cynder turned her back to him and quickly cast a spell to obfuscate the true nature of her read.

"Oh yeah? I'll be the judge of that!" Xavier turned her around and snatched the book away. He scrutinized the book, skimming through its pages, turning it around every which way. "Hmm… It seems everything is in order." He handed Cynder her book and exited the room.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Crusader or not, Xavier was still human. Cynder was thankful for that.

Xavier re-entered the room. "Wait a second. Give me back that book again!"

Cynder obliged. She was nervous, but there was no way Xavier could catch her red-pawed—

He tore the illusion away with his hand. Cynder's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, her maw hanging open.

" 'Heresy, Extra Premium Definitive Dragon Edition'?" Xavier's furious look turned to her. "This is disgusting! I warned you about bringing heresy into this household!" He grabbed his shotgun.

Cynder panicked. "Wait, Xavier! WAAAIIIIIIII—"

Always Keep an Eye on Your Pet

…

Xavier sat down at the table in the kitchen and unwrapped his chocolate bar. He searched for his phone and remembered he left it on the counter. "Dang it." Leaving the chocolate bar on the table, Xavier retrieved his phone.

When he turned back, he found his chocolate bar sticking out of Spyro's maw, which flummoxed him. "What, Spyro? What are you doing here? And spit that out!" Xavier didn't know if chocolate was toxic to dragons, and he wasn't about to mess around and find out.

Spyro locked eyes with him and took one step backward.

Xavier squinted. "Spyro. Drop the chocolate bar. Now."

The purple dragon took a few more steps backward, then bolted away.

Xavier exhaled in annoyance. "So we're going to be that petty." He took his glasses off. "Fine, then. No-holds-barred."

He chased Spyro down, cornering him in the basement.

"Nowhere to run, purple bucko. Give me back my treat, nice and easy."

Spyro growled as he crouched into a fighting stance. From the looks of it, he wouldn't go down without a fight.

Xavier pointed behind Spyro, gasping. "What's that behind you?"

His head whipped around.

Heh. Idiot. Xavier tackled him, and they wrestled, fighting for possession of the coveted chocolate bar. Amidst their struggle, it went flying into the air. Xavier reached for it, but Spyro used him as a boosting pad and leapt for the treat, squarely seizing it between his jaws.

Xavier recovered and saw that Spyro was about to swallow the chocolate bar. He threw out his hand. "No, don't do it!"

It was a futile effort. Spyro swallowed, then gave a content sigh. "That was delicious! Out of all the treats I've had, that was the best one!"

"Spyro. You fool," Xavier said gravely.

"Huh?" The purple dragon's face twisted with confusion.

Then it hit him.

An awful feeling crawled in Spyro's stomach; he collapsed on his side, nauseous. Relentless hacks wracked his throat as his body convulsed. "I don't… I don't feel so good, broski," he said between coughs.

Xavier sighed. "I tried to warn you, but you had to get stubborn with me."

"In my defence…it smelled really, really good," he croaked. He gave a long moan.

"And was it worth it?" Xavier asked, fists resting on his hips.

Spyro's coughs were a swell answer.