Note from Seraph: Before we begin this is a collection of stories from multiple authors. I started a writing challenge in which we gave each other a Skylander (or two) love interest to write about and the results were interesting enough for publication. Some of the pairings work better than others. I think it's obvious which characters we enjoyed writing about and which we didn't. But we powered through each challenge regardless.
I left these largely unedited. All I opted to check was spelling as I wanted each chapter to maintain the different author's style and feel. Enjoy our derpy stories!

Participating authors: Undead Prowess, Shadowdawn199, Stargazer 559, Life Strong, AviarTheAssassin (formerly HazardTheAssassin), Air Spirit, XandyPants, Technow, Fifi the giant slayer (formerly Lily Windwave), Hootie Hoot, SolarPhoenixStar, SCP-049, samjax, TaylorMan2274

Author: Shadowdawn199
Challenger: Seraph of Enigma

Note from Shadow: So, Seraph of Deviousness challenged me to write Flameslinger, and unlike every fangirl ever, I was not filled with glee. Something bad may have happened to him as a result. Enjoy!

Snuffed Out

He was gone.

She had been left breathless, in shock. How… it wasn't possible. He was Flameslinger. Legendary archer, champion Skylander. He couldn't be... dead.

At yet Rider had stood there, tears rolling down his own cheeks. She'd had collapsed into his arms, and they'd cried together.

That had been three days ago. Today was his funeral. She couldn't hear the words of the sermon over the pounding of her own heart. She watched Spyro struggle with tears as he spoke, and Sunburn openly cry as he honored Flameslinger's memory.

He hadn't wanted to be buried in the ground. She joined the group around the pyre, and looked him one last time. He looked like he was resting. His hands were folded across his chest, clutching his precious bow. His fiery eyes were closed, uncovered from his blindfold, though it hung around his neck. He wore what he always wore, the tunic and breeches that had seen him through countless fights, and his death.

And then, they set him alight. She closed her eyes. She couldn't watch him burn. They all stood, in silence, grieving.

The song started, then.

Whirlwind sung first, a lilting lullaby, telling a story of braving the storm. Sonic Boom joined next, singing of a mother's embrace. Cynder and Spyro raised their voices, singing of a brave warrior's sleep. And slowly, one by one, every Skylander joined.

They all sang different songs, in different voices. Hot Dog and Voodood sung in low, rich tones, and Stealth Elf sung in pure, high notes. Wham-Shell, Zap and Gill Grunt sung in voices like the ocean, ebbing and flowing, while Tree Rex and Drobot sung a harmony, weaving their tenor voices together.

Finally, finally she sang. She sang the song about love, about loss, and even though she was crying, she was also smiling. He would have loved this for a sendoff. Everyone had turned out for his funeral. Everyone.

They'd all miss him. He had been life and light and laughter, always ready with a joke, always ready to defend the innocent.

She didn't understand why he had to go. He'd said they be together till death did them part. Why so early did he have to die?

She remembered when she'd met him, when she was new. He'd been cocky, showing off, and she'd been teasing, trading quips with him as he'd shown her around. How he'd shown her his pride and joy, a little hollow by the beach, a place he used for archery practice. They'd flirted and laughed, and eventually gotten together.

She remembered the dancing, now. She was awkward dancing in public, but she loved it, especially if she had someone to dance with. And so he'd taken his special spot, the archery place, and dressed it up into a little ballroom.

"What do you think mon amour?" Flameslinger grinned at her. She stared at him. The little hollow was illuminated by the soft glow of candles, and waltzing music played. A blue sheet had been laid out on the sandy floor, dotted with points of light from the stars above.

"This is amazing. Thank you." She breathed wonderstruck. Flameslinger gathered her in his arms.

"For you, this is not worthy," he replied. Shadow kissed him lightly, and then backed away. She mocked bowed.

"May I have this dance?" She asked him, smiling. He grinned back, and danced they had.

She would never be able to dance again. How could she, now he was gone? His fire, something they'd both thought would be eternal, had dimmed and died. Ashes, ashes that was what remained.

She thought back to the last thing he'd said to her, his parting words as he embarked upon that fatal mission.

He smiled, standing up. "I have to go, mon ange. But I will return to this heaven of ours, soon."

I have to go, my angel. But I will return to this heaven of ours, soon.

She wished with all her heart he'd spoken truly.

Note from Seraph: I am accepting new authors. The only criteria is that you are willing to write stories as well as challenge others to them. It's gotta be a fair exchange. Look us up in the Skylanders forum section here on ffnet. You can find us in the "Champions of Skylands" forum and mainly in the topic "Derpy Fangirl (and Guy!) Brain Meats".