Chapter 1: The Awakening

"I Love You..."

Cynder threw open her eyes, breathing heavily at the memories she had. Looking up at the sun, and squinting her eyes with her wing covering the front of her face, she knew with a smile, We did it... We actually did it! Turning to her side, Cynder cried happily, "Spyro, we did...! Spyro..."

Cynder put her wings back down to her side and looked all around for any sign of Spyro. Fears quickly grabbed her mind as she couldn't find were he could have gone, Did... No... Spyro couldn't have... Died! No... She grew desperate as the thoughts of the purple dragon stabbed at her as she knew she needed to find him. Running around the Island, Cynder searched all over, trying to find were he could've gone. Could... Could he have left me... no... he wouldn't do that... But... then again... I did confess my love to him... did he not... love me? Cynder murmured sadly in her thoughts, as she started to slowly walk around the Island. Once she came to a stop, she looked to the ground, wondering if it was true, It has to he true... why would he love me? Why would he care? A soft grumble emerged from a near by bush, causing Cynder to quickly get defensive of the noise. As she slowly approached the noise, Cynder thought to her self, Why...why am I even trying? Without Spyro... without Spyro... Spyro. Cynder's body tensed sadly at the fact that Spyro had left her, but she tried to keep her cool as she raised her tail blade and approached the bush. I just wish, I just Spyro would've told me... I wish... Walking through the bushes, Cynder quickly jumped up, stood above the figure, and put her tail blade against its neck. She watched with horror and joy as she cried, "Spyro!"

Spyro grumbled at the pain he was in as he faintly murmured, "Cynder... Is that you?"

"Yes! Spyro, it's me!" Cynder cried happily, overjoyed to see Spyro was still with her, and hearing his voice again only made it so much sweeter.

Cynder quickly pulled her tail blade away from Spyro, and stood over his body, scared, and shaken. Spyro slowly opened his eyes, but not completely, as the pain strained his other eye, giving him an even worse headache if he tried to open his other eye that faced the ground. He somewhat smiled, as even smiling hurt, but he was still glade he could talk to Cynder, "Cynder... Thank you... for staying with me. Thank you for... not leaving. I don't know how I could... repay you."

Cynder smiled happily with tears as she cried, "You can repay me by telling me you're going to be okay."

Spyro chuckled nicely to her words as he tried, "I will try. To be honest, not feeling to the best of my abilities right now... but, I have to ask, Cynder, Were you planning on killing me? When I woke, I felt your tail blade was on my neck."

"No, no, no, of course not. I was just, I was sad and scared as I thought someone had left me... it was, I honestly had just given up from the thought," Cynder admitted sadly, feeling awful for even raising her tail blade to him.

"Cynder, it's okay, I was only teasing," Spyro admitted, "I know you would never hurt me. And, you need not worry. If that someone you thought was me, you know I wouldn't do such a thing. You never left me in the volcano, why would I leave you now?"

Cynder listened to Spyro's words with wide eyes and a smile, as she wiped away her tears with a smile. Spyro smiled happily, glade to see she was doing okay. But as quickly as he smiled, he quickly growled, as pain shot through his body. Watching the pain Spyro was in made Cynder fear for the worst, which caused her to quickly beg, "Spyro! How do I save you? What do I need to do?!"

"I need, some gems, preferably, red ones. There's... there's a gem patch of red gems, right over there," Spyro grumbled a response as he reached out his claw and pointed behind Cynder's back.

Cynder quickly shot around and saw the red gem patch that Spyro had pointed to. Pulling his claw back down, Cynder turned back around and whispered sadly, "Spyro, please promise me you'll make it. With these gems, I need to know..."

"I don't really know... I'm not... I'm not great," Spyro admitted, coughing up some blood on the grassy floor.

Cynder's body tensed as her teeth clenched, she couldn't stand letting Spyro die, "No! No, this isn't going to happen. You're going to make it! Even if it's impossible, I'm going to change the impossible right now. Please hold on."

Cynder got off of Spyro's body and quickly ran over to the gem patch. Breaking off a piece with her claw, she knew there was no way this would work. So, with the piece in her paw, she quickly ran back to Spyro. Why is Cynder trying to save me so badly? She could easily leave me right now... I'm hurt... does she really... does she really care about me?! Spyro thought with joy, hoping it was true. Watching Cynder approached, she threw the gem down next to his body, causing a couple of gems to bounce off the ground and into her and Spyro's body.

"I don't need to be healed!" Cynder growled, looking down at Spyro, she continued, "If I run back and forth, it will take to long. Spyro, I need you to please walk with me to the gem patch. If you can't walk, that's fine, I will keep trying to save you. I just need to know if you're able to walk."

Spyro growled as he tried to slowly stand. Cynder quickly ran up to his side, and support him by wrapping her wing around his body, and holding him up. Spyro chuckled happily, and whispered weakly to Cynder, "With you, I'm sure I can do anything."

"Would you be able to fight Malefor with me again in your condition?" Cynder joked with a smile.

"Almost anything," Spyro admitted, and the two shared a nice laugh.

As the two slowly approached the gem patch, Spyro was surprised to see Cynder giving him so much support, and he decided to find out why, "Cynder, I was wondering, why are you trying to save me? I mean, you could've easily up and left me, and told the Guardians I was died... why didn't you?"

Cynder blushed at Spyro's words, not really wanting to reveal the truth. Did Spyro not hear me in the volcano? Or... maybe he heard me, and is scared to be in love with me... I can't figure it out, Cynder thought sadly, but she responded to Spyro with a fake smile, "Well, you saved me, I'm just returning the favor. Then, if... if, you want me to... I... I will be out of your scales... tonight."

Spyro could see right through her fake smile, and could easily tell Cynder was scared with what she said. He was already completely against the idea of Cynder leaving him, as even as weak as he would, if he had to walk to keep her with him, he would do it. As the two approached the gem patch, Cynder turned Spyro's body towards the gem patch, and asked, "Need me to do the honors?"

Spyro chuckled slightly and asked politely, "If you could, would you please?"

Cynder giggled slightly as well, and joked, "Well, since you were so polite in asking..."

Cynder picked her tail blade up and over Spyro's, and threw it right at the gem patch. With her tail blade in the gem patch, she used her wind ability to blow up the gems from the inside. The gems exploded, and as quickly as they flew in the air, they quickly fell back to the ground. Bouncing off the ground, they bounced into Spyro's body, some even bounced into Cynder's wing. Spyro felt way better then he did before, but he was still a far away from being a hundred percent.

"Let's see how well those gems worked in my favor," Spyro said to himself, slowly pulling his body up to the ground, trying not to put to much strain on it.

Standing to his paws, Spyro smiled, glade he was finally able to walk. Looking to Cynder, Spyro thanked happily, "Cynder, thank you! If it wasn't for you, I would've died in those bushes. And I have to say, not the greatest way to say you died."

"That's... That's great, Spyro," Cynder murmured, trying to sound happy, but how could she, she thought that she was about to lose Spyro now that he was healed and walking on his own, "I... I just hope that you will be safe on your journey back to Warfang. Tell the Guardians I had I nice time, being with you all. It was nice... to smile... to laugh... with you all."

Spyro's joy quickly diminished seeing the sadness in her eyes. The fake smile on her face as she tried to hide her sadness pained Spyro, he couldn't let her leave, especially after everything they had been through. Cynder turned away from him, trying not to show the newly formed tears that formed and dripped from her eyes. What do I do?! I can't let her leave. But... what if she doesn't want to stay... I have to try! I have to see if Cynder... Cares about me! Spyro thought, watching as Cynder opened her wings. Her wings twitched, her tears felt endless, almost as much as the pain of leaving who she wanted to be her lover. With one flap of her wings, she was quickly stopped. Turning around to see what it was, it was Spyro's tail, wrapped around her's. Cynder was surprised to see Spyro was even able to move his tail blade, but the look and desperation on his face, and the way his body was tensed, she could tell how much pain he was in. Dripping sweat from the pain, Spyro begged, "Cynder, you're right, we did smile together, we did laugh together, but it never would've been possible, without you."

Cynder tucked her wings back to her sides, and turned to hear what Spyro had to say. Pulling his tail back to his body, Spyro continued, "I've never had a greater time then when I was with you. The small amount of time we shared in the Dragon Temple. Our journey to stop Malefor. Being with you... made it easier. And I'm not saying that because you were strong, which you are, but... with Ignitus... if I never had you... thank you. I lost him... But I'm glade I didn't lose you as well."

Cynder's listened with wide eyes, hoping that maybe Spyro did hear her, and he was about to confess his love for her. Spyro sighed sadly at the memories of what happened to Ignitus, and his finally words were difficult to say, "If you want to leave, I will understand. I've probably been a bother to you, and with the chain, I know you found out how awful I am. But, Cynder, if you want to stay... if you want to come back to us... me... one day, I will always welcome you with open wings."

Spyro's words gave Cynder the biggest smile, glade he gave her the greatest option of her life: Staying with Spyro. Just the thought was enough to shiver Cynder happily inside, hoping, and wishing, something like that, would stay. Confused by her smile, Spyro whispered sadly, "Does that mean... you... you really are going to leave... just... please remember... I..."

Cynder quickly ran up and hugged Spyro, draping both her wings over his back, and crying over his shoulder. The tears that dripped down his back, and the wings that now draped over his back, gave Spyro the idea of which option Cynder chose. He shivered with joy, and moving his wings over Cynder's, he hugged her warmly back. Tears started to from in Spyro's eyes as well, and with a smile so big, his teeth were shown. Thank the Ancestors! The two cried in unison. Cynder pulled her head back, and looked into Spyro's eyes, hoping she could read him, and see if he cared about her as well.

"Does... Does this mean...?" Spyro stuttered.

Cynder giggled with a smile, and joked, "It looks like your still going to be stuck with me. Chain or no chain, I'm not going to leave your side. After all, I will probably have to save that purple butt of yours again at some point."

Spyro blushed with a smile, and thanked with a warm smile, "Cynder, thank you."

Cynder wondered why Spyro was so happy she was staying, so she decided to just ask with a blush, "Spyro... why are you so happy that I'm staying with you? I don't think I've seen you this happy in a long time... It's been a while since you smiled actually."

"I smiled when we nuzzled," Spyro pointed out, remembering how amazing that moment was for him, but then he quickly blushed, realizing he gave away the fact that he enjoyed the nuzzle with Cynder.

Cynder blushed once again, and asked with a small stutter, "You... you enjoyed when we nuzzled?"

Spyro knew he couldn't get out of this one, but he was afraid to answer at all. What do I do? If I tell her yes, she could leave me because she didn't! Or, if I say no, what if she hates me because I don't like her back?! Ugh, think Spyro, think! He growled in his thoughts, sighing, knowing he would just have to tell the truth, "Yes... when you nuzzled the side of my cheek, it was like a dream come true. I never knew you would nuzzle me before, and when you did... I... I was so happy..."

Nuzzling the side of Spyro's cheek, Cynder was overcome with joy to hear he enjoyed her nuzzle. Slowly closing his eyes, Spyro smiled, and enjoyed the nuzzle that felt so nice on the scales of his cheek. Pulling away, Cynder caught a glimpse of how happy Spyro was, and thought, That must mean Spyro does care about me! It has to! Opening his eyes, Spyro joked, "Only one?"

Cynder giggled, and joked with him, "Once your body is completely healed, then I will nuzzle you more. And plus, you still haven't nuzzled me back... You get all the glory, but I want..."

Cutting her off mid sentence, Spyro nuzzled Cynder happily, unable to tell if it felt better to give a nuzzle, or receive a nuzzle. Cynder smiled, enjoying the nuzzle she desperately yearned for. Pulling away, Cynder couldn't help it, so she decided not to let it boil up inside her, "Spyro, please tell me we will do this more often."

Spyro raised a brow with a smile, "In order for this to keep happening, I will need you by my side."

"Is... is that a bad thing?" Cynder asked, scared to know the answer.

"Being with you isn't a bad thing. It's the greatest thing to happen in my life," Spyro whispered warmly with a smile, causing Cynder to smile happily with a tear to go along with her joy, "Thank you, for not leaving Cynder. That was the scariest moment of my life."

Cynder raised a brow, and asked, "Even scarier then having to face the dark master?"

"My biggest fear will always be you leaving me," Spyro admitted, blushing, as he realised he accidentally said that to Cynder.

With wide eyes, Cynder wondered if she heard him correctly. Spyro turned away from his embarrassment, not wanting Cynder to know he truly meant it. But his words already revealed how he felt to Cynder. Moving her head over and nuzzling Spyro's, she grabbed his attention. Pulling away, Spyro looked at her, scared to know what she would say.

"I guess we both have the same fears," Cynder admitted with a blush, happy to hear that Spyro really did care about her.

Spyro's fear turned to joy, and with a smile, Cynder smiled back, and the two looked into one another's eyes, hoping that their fears would never come true. The joy and excitement they felt for having one another was cut short as the island started to rumble and shake. Taking their wings off one another, Spyro quickly got to Cynder's side, wrapped a wing around her, and the two quickly laid to the ground, digging their claws into the ground. The rumbling blocked out the cried of pain the Spyro cried, which he was glade, because Cynder didn't hear. Once the rumbling stopped, Cynder looked to Spyro and asked, "What was that...? Spyro! Are you okay?!"

Spyro unwrapped his wing from around Cynder, chuckling with a slight growl from the pain, "Yeah, it's just... Malefor really knows how to knock you down a good bit... Even with all the pain I'm in, at least he has been dealt with... And, to answer your question, I'm going to guess my power I used in the volcano is being used to pull the world back together."

Cynder stood to her paws, and suggested, "Let's not waste anymore time! I need to find you more gems! I feel like we could wait for the gem to come back, but I'm guessing since the earth is coming back to together, It's not using its energy to heal back up the gems."

Slowly standing back up, Spyro sighed, hoping it would relieve some of the pain he felt. Chuckling from the pain he was in, he joked, "This is going to be terrible for me... The pain I'm in now, and the islands are split, flying to an island to heal is going to kick me hard..."

Blushing at the idea, Cynder knew it would help Spyro, "Well... I could... I could always help you by... carrying you."

Spyro blushed at the idea, but he rejected the idea, "Cynder, you've saved my life. I don't want to ask more from you. If the gems bounced into your body, then that means your injured too. And being honest, I would rather have all the pain then you have any."

Cynder listened to his words with wide eyes, surprised at how nice he was being to her, how much he did care about her. Spyro turned, trying not to show his blush, and trying to find another island with gems on it. A shine appeared on the edge of one of the islands, a red shine. With a smile, Spyro turned around to Cynder, and said, "I see another island with red gems on it. It's a little higher then this one, but I believe I can manage."

Scared for Spyro's safety, she wanted to be sure, "Spyro, are you sure you don't need my help? I might be hurt, but I'm not nowhere near as weak as you are right now."

"I will be fine, I promise. I can barely walk, but I'm sure I can fly. My wings weren't the one's that were on that hot, boiling rock, my paws were. So, maybe my arms and legs are just in pain because of my paws," Spyro whispered, trying not to put Cynder through even more pain because she wanted to carry his body.

Cynder sighed. Hearing the promise from Spyro made her feel a little more at ease, but she quickly said, "But if you need me to carry you at any point while we are flying, don't push through it. You have shown me you are more then capable of being strong... And... I like that... But do we have an agreement?!"

Spyro blushed with a smile, glade to hear that Cynder liked something about him.

"Agreed," Spyro agreed with her terms, "I will make sure to stay close to you, just in case."

"Okay... I... I trust you," Cynder sighed, scared for his safety.

Slowly opening his wings, Spyro could already feel the pain from just opening his wing, which made him think with a drip of sweat, This is going to kick me harder then I thought. Walking close to Spyro's side, Cynder opened her wings right next to his, ready for take off. Taking a deep breath in, and then out, Spyro said to himself, "One, two, three, go."

Flapping his wings, he flew into the air with Cynder following beside him. Feeling the affects of how his wings felt, he had hoped that the island was a lot closer then he thought. He didn't want to show he was weak next to Cynder, fearing that she would hate him for being weak.

"Are you doing okay? Spyro, I can tell your struggling," Cynder asked with a frown, ready to take him into her arms, scared to see that he was hurting himself.

Is she frowning because she sees how weak I am?! Come on! We are almost to the island, don't show her you are weak! Spyro motivated himself to stay strong, which was a lot harder then he thought, as he could feel his wings starting contracting from the pain. Just barely making it to the island, Cynder gracefully landed on the island and put her wings back to her side. Turning to see how Spyro was doing, Cynder watched as his wings clenched and ceased up on him. Unable to use his wings, Spyro fell to the ground, but thankfully, Cynder was right underneath where he was to land, and was caught in her wings that she quickly extended back out. Spyro chuckled, embarrassed that he wasn't even strong enough to fly, "I guess... I guess I'm not as strong as I thought... Thank you for the save, Cynder."

"At least you stayed close to me," Cynder said happily, shivering at how he would've landed if she wasn't there.

Crawling off Cynder's wings and onto the ground, Spyro tried to move his wings, but even just the wind hitting it hard enough made him growl, "I guess I'm not going to be flying anytime soon. How about you?"

"I can manage, unlike my weak little purple dragon over here," Cynder joked with a slight giggle and a smile.

Spyro grumbled with a smile, unable to fight with that kind of conversation. He knew he was going to be weak for a while, and with the islands being split, he knew he was going to have to do a lot more flying. The two looked around for the gems, and with luck, Cynder said, "Spyro, the gems are over here!"

Looking over to see where Cynder was calling out, he watched as a bush near her moved a little. Spyro growled, not knowing what it could be, he quickly ran to catch up to her. Stopping in front of the gem, Cynder placed her paw on it, and thought, This can save Spyro for sure, I know it will! I hope... I hope that, by him seeing how helpful I am, he will care about me even more, and hopefully, even love me! Jumping out of the bush, an ape readied his weapon. Swinging his weapon, Cynder broke from her thoughts, but she knew she couldn't move fast enough. Luckily, she didn't have to, as Spyro bit the side of the weapon, and snapped it in half as he chomped down on the weapon. Cynder watched with wide eyes as she jumped back, thankful Spyro was there to help. Jumping up and swinging his tail around, Spyro sliced the ape's neck, blowing his body up into gems. Quickly collecting the gems from his body, Spyro ran to Cynder's side. Watching more apes appear from the bushes, Spyro dripped a little bit of sweat, and thought, Fantastic... As if I'm not already in enough pain. Hopefully with Cynder... no, she needs to rest as well!

"Cynder, stay behind me. I will take on the apes while you recover your stamina. After all, who knows if we are going to have to fly again, and to be honest, there is no way I'm going to be able to fly," Spyro said, feeling his wings twitch, as he knew that he would be at a disadvantage with his wings sticking out in the open.

"Spyro, you're in no shape to fight. You can barely even put your wings back," Cynder disagreed with Spyro's plan, fearing for his safety, "You took more damage then I did during our fight with Malefor. You need to recover, not push yourself... I don't want you to get hurt."

Spyro smiled, both at the fact that she was right, and the fact that he was actually glade to hear that she cared about his safety. Putting a paw over his shoulder, Cynder whispered, "Or, we can fight together, as we always have. I know your fist work well, as well as your tail blade. You use them, while I make up for your wings. We can work together."

Spyro sighed happily, wishing he could've said it better himself, "Together... We can do anything. You know, you've never made speeches before, but I have to say, you're really good at them. Thank you for your help, Cynder."

"Well, can't look bad in front of my purple dragon," Cynder whispered happily, pulling her paw off his shoulder, and getting into a fighting stance, ready to get this over with quick.

Spyro listed with wide eyes, and thought, That's the second time she's said 'My purple dragon'. Does that mean she cares about me! Well... the faster I wrap things up with these guys, the faster I will know. Getting into his fighting stance, the apes readied their weapons: Bows, and swords pointed at them, ready to attack.

"So, how many can you take?" Cynder asked.

"Oh, so we are tuning this into a game?" Spyro asked.

"Well, I was thinking, who ever can kill the most with the least amount of damage gets to enjoy a nuzzle."

"That's a pretty big prize that you're throwing my way. Okay, I will play along. Just be prepared to nuzzle yours truly."

"As much as like nuzzling you, you nuzzling me is so much more enjoyable. There is no way I'm going to lose."

Shooting an arrow at the two, Spyro whispered with a smile, "Game on."

Running in front of Cynder, Spyro spun up, grabbed the arrow, threw the arrow back at the ape, and spun back around to the other side of Cynder. The arrow impaled the ape in the head, killing him immediately. Shooting poison from her mouth, the two apes it hit hissed on their skins and immobilized them. Jumping in the air, Cynder landed on one, digging her claws into his neck, while she used her tail to slice at the others throats. As the two exploded, gems bounced off the ground and into her body. Seeing the gems, and feeling the heal and energy it gave her made her think, Killing these apes drop the gems necessary to heal Spyro... it looks like I have to lose on our little game... And I was really looking forward to getting that nuzzle from Spyro. Spacing out mid battle gave an ape enough time to quickly sneak up on Cynder, and attack. Once again, Cynder was lucky, as Spyro shot fire at the sword, burning the ape's hands, causing him to drop it. Cynder came back, and quickly finished off the ape by stabbing him in the neck with her tail blade. Pulling her tail blade back, she jumped back, and said, "Spyro, grab these gems!"

Spyro quickly ran over and collected the gems from the apes body.

"Thank you Cynder," Spyro thanked kindly with a smile, and looking at Cynder, he asked, "You remember back to our conversation? You were going to by my wings because mine were strained. Do you need me to be your eyes? You seem to be spacing out in the middle of battle... is something wrong?"

"No, no, it's nothing... I will... tell you later, I promise," Cynder whispered sadly, somewhat blushing, as she knew she would have to tell Spyro about what has been bothering her.

"It's okay to tell me something Cynder, I will never hate you for anything, promise," Spyro whispered with a warm smile, causing Cynder to listen with wide eyes, "Trust me, I will never hate you. Now, what do you say we keep beating up some nosey little apes. It's getting dark, and getting a good night's rest after so long is really going to pay off."

And I thought I was good at motivational speeches, Cynder thought with a smile.

"Of course!" Cynder agreed, getting into a fighting stance next to Spyro.

Getting into his fighting stance as well, Spyro was glade to have this feeling as he thought he would've never done something like this with Cynder ever again. And neither did Cynder, as she thought Spyro would've left a long time ago. Running back into the fight, the two continued to work together as they slashed and fought their way through most of the apes.

After fighting for a while, Spyro began to feel weak, and with his weakness, he began to feel drowsy. His drowsyness led him away from Cynder, and into a group of apes. Slamming him to the ground, Spyro growled, feeling paralyzed from his pain. Trying to stand to his paws, the apes put a foot on his body, keeping him from moving. Pulling her tail blade out of the body of an ape, Cynder turned to see Spyro on the ground with apes standing above him, readying to use their weapons.

"Spyro!" Cynder cried, running over to Spyro as quickly as she could.

Using her shadow ability, she found it easier to travel under the ground. Appearing behind the apes, Cynder grabbed two of them, and threw them back, while she stabbed another in the back with her tail as she spun around to threw the other two.

"Stay away from him!" Cynder growled, running up, and jumping onto one of the ape's, and stabbing her claws into the ape, the quickly doing the same to the other one.

The three apes exploded into gems that bounced into Cynder body. Shacking her head from her fear and anger, she quickly ran over to help Spyro. Standing over his body, Cynder could see just how much pain he was really in, as his body was tensed, and contracted from his pain.

"This is embarrassing..."

Cynder quickly scooped up Spyro with her wings, cutting him off she begged, "Dont talk, you need to save your strength! Don't worry, I'm going to get you over to that gem patch!"

Cynder ran over to the gem patch, fearing for his safety, as she also felt terrible for how much pain he was in. Slowly placing him down on the ground, Cynder ran to the the side of the gem patch, swung her tail up, and at the patch. Breaking the entire gem patch, she jumped back and away, and allowed all the gems to bounce off the ground and into Spyro's body. Running back over to Spyro's body, Cynder quickly asked, "Are you feeling better."

Spyro chuckled as he slowly stood up, "Thanks to you. I didn't realise how many apes we had to fight. But, if I'm sure I calculated this correctly, after those three ape kills, I was afraid you were going to beat me, but luckily, I won by one kill."

Cynder frowned a little, but she quickly smiled, glade that Spyro was alive and back to health. Looking at Spyro in the eyes, she smiled with him, as she couldn't lie, win or lose, she still felt like she won. But, before she was able to nuzzle Spyro, Cynder felt with wide eyes as he nuzzled the side of her cheek. Closing her eyes, Cynder nuzzled Spyro back, feeling her smile getting bigger from the feeling. Pulling away, Spyro looked back into Cynder's eyes as she slowly opened them back up with her smile still in place. Remembering back to her conversation with Cynder, he asked, "So, Cynder... why were you spacing out? You said you would tell me... but if it makes you sad, then it's okay if you don't tell me, I just wanted to help you out."

Blushing with a sigh, Cynder decided it would be best to tell Spyro the truth, as she did very much trust him, "It's just, seeing the gems, I knew I was going to have to lose in order to help you. Which isn't a bad thing, it's just... I like it better when you nuzzle me because... because it help me know that you do care... it helps me know that... you're still there."

Spyro smiled at Cynder's words, as well as her blush, knowing how embarrassed she must be to have released that kind of information, and he was glade he did so, "I really wish I could be as amazing as you are... you truly are amazing... perfect."

"Wh... What?" Cynder asked with wide eyes, and even more of a blush.

"I wish I could be more of a man to tell you how I fell... to be honest, the reason that I want you to nuzzle me as well: Aside from the feeling, it's because I get that assurances that you're right here next to me... And I try not to let it get to me, because everything you've done for me today... Thank you, Cynder... And, thank you for telling me the truth," Spyro thanked kindly in a whisper, bringing tears to Cynder's eyes.

Spyro felt awful from the sight, as he growled at himself out loud, "Ugh, I'm so stupid! Making the one you care about cry! Why would say something so stupid! I..."

Cut off mid sentence, Spyro was tackled to the ground by Cynder. Laying on his back and Cynder on top, she nuzzled Spyro happily on the side of his cheek. Spyro was surprised at how happy Cynder was, but he was just as happy, as he nuzzled back to give her the nice feeling as well. Pulling away, Spyro watched as the tears fell off her face and onto his cheek. He was confused, wondered, why was she crying, as he thought it was his fault. So he apologized, "Cynder, I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you... I... I never wanted to hurt you... I never want to hurt you."

"Spyro, you didn't hurt me! You... you've made me have the greatest feeling that I've ever felt. Happiness doesn't begin to describe how I feel right now. You just told me that you cared about me! After everything that has happened, and I learn that the one I care about, cares about me as well!" Cynder cried happily, unable to control the joy she felt in her body.

"You... you care about me?" Spyro asked with a big smile.

Cynder giggled, and nodded her head with a smile, "You think I would've stayed in a life or death situation with just anyone. I was so scared that telling you that I cared about you... I was scared you would leave me... but, when you told me of your fear... Spyro..."

Spyro placed a paw on the side of Cynder's cheek, which she happily laid her head onto, glade to feel his warm paw on her cheek. Smiling with Cynder, Spyro whispered happily, feeling the tears that started to form in his eyes, "Thank you, Cynder... This makes bringing the world back together feel even more worth the pain that it took to go through it."

Cynder giggled at his words, and whispered, "Yeah, pulling the world together must've taken a lot more energy then you thought... But, I had faith that you could do it. I don't blame you for being weak right now... but... Spyro... since I'm being honest... you look so... handsome."

"What do you mean?" Spyro asked, seeing the blush on her face.

"Well, I mean, for some reason, you look older, and you look quite... handsome. Seeing you smile, seeing you laugh, it easily brings a smile to my face. Not because of how handsome you are... well, that to, but... I can't believe able to talk to you after everything that has happened... I can't believe you care about... it... it's like a dream come true," Cynder whispered happily, as seeing the smile on Spyro's face made her giggle.

"Well, don't go and calling me handsome just yet, because once you see your reflection, I can guarantee you will wonder why you care about someone like me... I mean... wow... now that I look into your eyes, seeing you smile... Seeing your... body..."

Spyro cut off mid sentence from his blush, feeling his face turning red from his blush as he talked about how beautiful Cynder looked. Cynder blushed as well, and with a giggle, she thought, I can't believe Spyro is actually talking about how beautiful I look. I always thought he would run away with out saying a word about me... Thank you, Spyro, for caring so much about me. Seeing the sun setting, Cynder got off of Spyro, trying to hide the smile and tears she still had, and she tried to talk to Spyro without showing how happy she was, "Well, it's getting late... I guess... we better get some sleep..."

Spyro stood to his paws, and kept the smile on his face, as the feeling of Cynder caring about him was so much for him to take in. Walking away and over towards some trees, Spyro cut a small tree down with his tail blade, and cut some of the pieces of wood off. Watching Spyro cut up wood and drag them back, Cynder thought with a frown, Even after today... I still have to sleep alone... but, hopefully not for long! If Spyro cares about me, then soon, he might even... love me... no... Looking at him now, if we get back to Warfang, girls will be all over him... He looks handsome and all... but... after everything he has done to help me, save me, talk to me... the time we spent at the Dragon Temple... Will Spyro even stay with me...? Please... Spyro dragged one last piece of wood, and laid it in the middle with the rest of the wood. Making a small rock circle around the wood, Spyro lit the wood on fire, making a nice campfire. Turning around to face the fire pit, Cynder laid down near the fire, and thought, What I wouldn't do if Spyro would curl up to me by the fire... huh... I can only dream... I can... only hope... Spyro looked over to Cynder to see a tear fall out of her eye with a frown. The shine the tear gave off from the fire made it even more visible. He felt terrible, not knowing how he should help. Walking over and laying a bit away from Cynder, he thought with a frown, I wish I could curl up to Cynder near this fire... but I don't want to push it... I don't want to push her away. I only have one chance, and I can't lose her... and how weak I was today... it was disgraceful... I need to become stronger, so I can protect Cynder, even on my weakest moment. Laying his head on his paws, Spyro tried to pull his wings back to his body, and thankfully, he succeeded. Cynder sighed softly, seeing Spyro close his eyes, she thought, It's great that Spyro can move his wings once again... I just wish he could use them to comfort me... him caring about me shows that I'm his friend... but... him loving me... him... kissing me on my lips... huh... I don't stand a chance... I just have to enjoy these moments that I have with him now... before we get to Warfang... and I lose him... Laying her head down on her paws, and closing her eyes, she thought with a frown, I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.

Listing to the fire burn and crackle the wood was the only thing Cynder heard from the night. I wish I could hear Spyro's heartbeat, instead of this fire... Cynder wished, opening up her eyes and looking to the sky with a frown of what might happen in the future. Watching the starts shimmer and shine in the night made her smile for a better future, but as she looked closer, she saw what looked to be an outline of a dragon, a purple dragon. Feeling sweat drip from her face, and fear quickly engulfing her body, she looked away from the sky, and over towards Spyro. Spyro always gives me comfort, even just looking at him... but, from how he's laying, it's hard to tell if he's even breathing, Cynder thought, scaring herself even more with every thought she had, No, no, it can't be, that's not Spyro... but... he was weak... What if the pain and weaknesses in his body caught up to him and killed him! Quickly standing up, Cynder took no chance in waiting any longer for the truth to be revealed. Running to his side, Cynder put a paw on his body, and cried, "Spyro! Spyro, please wake up!"

Launching his eyes opened, Spyro jumped to his paws, opened his wings to protect Cynder, and asked, "Cynder, are you okay?! Is everything okay?!"

Hearing Spyro breath heavily from fear brought about both joy, and sadness to her heart. He's still alive! But, I feel bad for waking him, but, for him being asleep, he woke up pretty fast, Cynder thought, wondering if he was even sleeping at all. Turning his head, Spyro asked once again, "Cynder, are you... Ugh!"

"Spyro!" Cynder cried, watching as Spyro put his paw on his shoulder to help relieve some of the pain he felt, "Spyro, I'm so sorry, it's just, I saw what looked like you in the sky, and I didn't see you breathing, and... and... I thought... I thought you had passed in your sleep... I'm so sorry."

"Cynder, it's okay, you were scared. You have nothing to worry about," Spyro assured her, seeing a small smile form across her face, "And, you should never have to worry about me dying. As long as you live, I will always have someone to fight for, and I would never give up on you."

Wiping away a tear with her claw, Cynder thanked kindly, "Thank you, Spyro. I was also scared because, well, I couldn't hear your heartbeat, I couldn't hear you breathing, all I could hear was the fire, and it just... I thought that the last words I would hear from you was... you saying how beautiful I was..."

Spyro sighed, somewhat causing Cynder to shiver, wondering if maybe he really was hiding something that he hated about her. Seeing a couple of tears fall out of his eyes caused Cynder to feel suspicious, but soon after, his words made her feel petrified, "Cynder... I can't keep doing this... me... and... you."

"What!" Cynder cried.

"I'm sorry, being alone, and, not having you by my side, me and you not being with one another... I couldn't even sleep because I was scared that I wouldn't be able to protect you, because you weren't by my side! Cynder, I know I shouldn't even be asking, but, just for tonight, can you sleep with me," Spyro cried, begging to have the one he cared about lay by his side, wanting to protect her even better then he could.

Cynder blushed red, hearing his words, she stuttered a response, "You want me to... sleep with you?"

Spyro blushed red as well, and quickly correct his statement, "No, no, I'm sorry, I meant, can you... curl up to me? Just for tonight! You can say no, as I don't want to force you! It's just, all of our adventures, being with you... it's hard not being with you after everything."

This could be my chance! Come on Cynder, don't screw it up, Cynder yelled at herself, trying to get herself motivated to say the right thing. Taking a small sigh to relieve her fear, she whispered happily, "I would love to."

Spyro sighed happily as well, relieving the fear he felt, he thanked, "Thank you, Cynder."

Yes! The two thought in unison. Laying down near the fire, Spyro opened his left wing, and awaited Cynder to join him. Walking under his wing, she laid down with her paws out in front of her, same as Spyro's. Draping his wing over her, Spyro felt Cynder snuggle up to him, bringing a smile to both their faces. Feeling kinda warm, Cynder asked, "Hey, Spyro, is their anyway you could make it colder?"

Spyro growled at himself, not really knowing how to cool Cynder off, and thought to himself, You need to figure out how to cool Cynder off on warm days and night, same for if it's cold. I have to show Cynder that I can be who she needs me to be! Her protector!

"Well, I could ice over the campfire and make this more of a camp ice," Spyro joked, earning a small giggle from Cynder.

"Since your holding me... protecting me, I have no problem sleeping in the dark," Cynder suggested, wanting to feel the warmth of Spyro's body more the the warmth of the fire.

Putting his tail over Cynder's, he agreed with a smile from her words, "You can always trust me to protect you, Cynder. Goodnight, Cynder."

Putting his head down on her paws, Cynder quickly nuzzled her head underneath his, and put the side of her head against his chest, smiling even more from the soothing sound of his heartbeat. Thank you, Spyro... this has been the greatest night of my life, Cynder thought, closing her eyes and letting another tear drip out of her eye, down her chin, and onto Spyro's paw. Feeling the cold tear hit his paw, Spyro asked, "Are you okay Cynder?"

"As long as your with me... I will be nothing less... but I will be so much more then better... Goodnight, Spyro," Cynder whispered happily, wishing the night with the one she cared about would last forever.

Spyro smiled happily at her words, and laid his head over Cynder's. Closing his eyes, he slightly picked his head up, and shot out the fire with a small stream of chilling ice. Feeling the cold more then the heat, Cynder snuggle up to Spyro again, feeling the heat from his body, and listening to his heartbeat, she knew nothing could make her happier. I wish every night was like this, Cynder wished in her sleep, falling into a peaceful sleep. Putting his head back down, Spyro thought with a smile, Thank you, for doing this, Cynder... I just hope... I just hope that, she never leaves me... I hope... every night, is just like this... me and Cynder, snuggled up, together. With the joyful thought in his mind, and the warm feeling from Cynder's body, Spyro feel into a peaceful sleep.