Forgetting Who You Are

All was at peace. Naught heard but silence. The song of peace, the song of serenity. But as with all music, the song must end.

A familiar voice shook the silence from his mind. Screaming at him to wake up. Begging for him to be alright. But he couldn't respond. He was too tired. And something was... on top of him. "What is it"? He wondered. "A boulder? It must be. It's heavy. But is it that heavy"? He couldn't open his eyes. They too, were heavy. Everything was. Even the moments of silence. "Just let me sleep" He thought as the familiar voice kept shouting. He knew this voice, but couldn't place it. "If they were important I'd have a name by now".

The voice didn't cease. It only grew more frantic, more worried. "Just stop, please. I don't know who you are. Why do you sound so worried? Are you hurt? Am I hurt? I sure hope not". The voice was becoming clearer. He could almost make out words. "What are you saying? Are we underwater? Are we drowning? That's not how I expected to die. I thought I'd die to Malef.." His eyes shot open and he began to panic. That weight was indeed boulders. So heavy it made it hard to breath. A tomb unfit for a hero.

His ears were still ringing, but the voice was becoming comprehensible. It belonged to a female. As much as he wanted to, he could not place a name upon it. "Spyro! Spyro wake up! Spyro wake up please"!

There it was. The voice now clear. "Hello? What happened? Is everything alright"? He shouted back.

The excitement in her voice grew a hundred fold. "Thank the gods you're okay! I thought I'd lost you. As for everything else, I don't know. There was a bright light and then I woke up and you were under this pile of rocks. I was pinned, but managed to free myself. Can you move"?

Try he did but to no avail. "Barely. A twitch maybe, but nothing that could help".

"I have an idea. But I need you to move the rocks for just a second. Okay?"

He was confused but agreed regardless. "Umm... okay I'll try". He shifted as best he could and pushed upwards with all his strength. "Okay. Your turn"!

An immensely strong gust of wind blew over him and broke off chunks of stone until an opening just large enough for him to crawl out appeared between rocks. The gale ceased, and a face filled the hole. It belonged to a jet black dragoness. Beautiful but somehow looked familiar to him. She managed to pull him out with only a few complaints of pain.

As she laid him down on the cold stone ground, she breathed a sigh of relief. "You really had me scared. I thought I had lost you. But I'm glad to see you safe".

Laughing lightly he agreed. "I am too. Do you know what happened? I can't seem to remember it all".

"Well," She began. "We defeated Malefor, and you managed to pull the world back together. Then I woke up, you were stuck under that rock pile, I pulled you out, And now probably have to carry you back the the city".

He grew confused. "I think I'm capable of getting myself back. But I appreciate the thought". He tried to stand, but as he did excruciating pain shot up his hind legs. He yelped and fell back to the floor.

"In case you can't tell, your legs are broken. and I think that one of you wings are as well".

He calmed his breathing and looked up at her. "Thanks, I thought this was normal. What about you? Anything broken"?

"Nothing as bad as you. I can manage. I've felt a ton worse. Trust me". With that she picked him up -being mindful of his and her wounds- and flew upward, looking for a way out.

After navigating a few caves, she finally found one with a light at the end of it. As they broke through the barrier of light and darkness, they flew into the sky of a scorching desert. Not just any desert, it was one they had not any knowledge. "Where are we? From all the maps I've ever seen I don't ever remember a desert this expansive. Or even one at all. Where should we go first, Spyro"?

"How about North. Or forward. We're bound to find something, right"?

Together they flew, to where the scorching sun turned to freezing darkness of night. After night had set in, the two dragons decided it would be best to rest. They were lucky enough to find a body of drinkable water.

After making a bed of leaves, they laid down next to one another. "It's crazy isn't it? It's done. The worlds at peace. Not to mention whole again. All thanks to us. All thanks to you. You're amazing Spyro. I hope you know, I meant what I said. And maybe you agree with me"?

Spyro swallowed hard. "What did she say!? Why can't I remember? Oh gods, she looks like she wants an answer. I hope this isn't a mistake." He inhaled deeply. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I"?

She smiled a smile so wide you'd think her lips would rip and embraced him softly.

"What did I agree to?! I don't even know... er... remember her and now this"!

She released him from her grasp and turned to nuzzling. Spyro's body stiffened, his eyes went wide and he held his breath as she began kissing his neck gently. She looked up at him. "Is something wrong"?

He snapped his head down and looked at her. Forcing a smile and lying through his teeth seemed to be his only way out. "What? Of course not! Don't be silly. I'm just tired is all."

She cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, I bet all that flying you did must be wearing you down pretty bad." His eyes went wide again as his brain and mouth failed simultaneously to form words. "Relax. I'm only joking. You've become way to serious. What, Malefor didn't scare you that bad did he"?

A sharp pain ran up Spyro's back and into his head. He winced at the name Malefor. "Spyro, are you alright"?

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just a jolt is all. Anyway, we should get some sleep while we can. We could have a long day ahead of us tomorrow".

She nuzzled up to him again, this time sliding under his wing and wrapping an arm around him. "I feel so safe when I'm with you. Goodnight, Spyro".

"Uhh... yeah. Goodnight". They laid their heads down and drifted into unconsciousness.

Spyro's eyes fluttered open, he was no longer in the desert. And his sleeping companion was nowhere to be found. "Hello? Dragoness? Where are you"? An enormous fire lit the room in front of him. He could here a howl of pain and anguish between the deafening crackle of flames.

A demonic voice began shouting at him. It was distorted and heavy with sadness. "Your fault! It's your fault"! Out of the fire crawled the burned body of a large red dragon. Less then half of their charred face clung to the ashen bone. The wings were skeletal and cracked with every movement. "Why did you leave me, Spyro? Why didn't you come back? It's your fault I'm dead! I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE! WHY SPYRO"?!

"I.. I don't know. I'm sorry"! The burned dragon pinned him to the ground and howled in pain.

"It's all your fault! YOU KILLED ME"!

"IGNITUS"! He said as he shot up, drenched in sweat. Slowly, he came to cry. His sleeping companion stirred. Opening her eyes to see the purple dragon next to her weeping. She wrapped wing around him for comfort.

"Shhh. It's okay. It was just a dream. You're okay now. I'm here". He laid his head on her chest and cried, soaking her scales.

When he finally managed to stop, he spoke in a weak voice. "Do you want to know what the dream was about"?

"Tell me when you're ready. Don't worry. Whatever happened was painful. There's no point in hurting yourself trying to tell me. Just try to get some sleep". Again they closed their eyes and drifted away.

Spyro slept better. But better isn't always good. The sun was a relief, if it wasn't so hot. Before continuing, the two tried their best to clean themselves. They hollowed out a small log and filled it with water, took one last drink from the well of life, and departed. Again Spyro wasn't doing much flying, but he did carry the makeshift flask.

They had been flying for what seemed like an eternity. "If you're getting tired don't think you need to keep going because of me".

She smiled. "I'm flattered you're worrying about me, but I'll know when to call it a day. Besides, I want to find a healer as soon as possible. Preferably before infection".

They continued talking about things. It was always a stale conversation. And always ended in an awkward silence.

"Hey," Said Spyro. "do you see that"?

She turned her head to look at whatever it was he was seeing. And sure enough, in the distance there was a large stone structure. she banked towards it and flew even faster. "I think we finally found a settlement! This is great! I bet they have tons of food, and drink, and warm cozy beds"!

When they did finally make it, they realized that it was indeed a settlement, but an empty one. The stone structure was half buried in the sand. The market stalls laid abandoned, aside from fossilized food and the occasional desert insect.

"Someone was here. The question is where did they go? This place looks pretty big. They couldn't have have simply disappeared. Could they"?

"I don't know, Spyro. It looks like they left in a hurry. Let's look around."

"Ahem". He grunted as he gestured to his injuries.

"Oh right. I guess I'll look around. You hang out.." She scanned the area until her eyes fell upon a bench. "On this bench"! She set him down gently. "Holler if you need me. Okay"?

"No problem. Be careful. Okay"? He said with a smile.

"Don't worry about me. I can go at it with the best of them. Be back soon"! She ran off into the less intact section of the settlement.

"I wonder what happened here? Was it me? Or did this happen before me? I sure hope whatever it is that did this is gone now. I don't think either of us is up to fighting". His attention was grabbed by movement in the corner of his eye. He darted his head towards it to see a figure duck behind a corner. "I saw you! Don't make me come over there! Empty threat much"?

Again movement, again the same figure. But this time more of them. Spyro was getting frightened. Immobilized, defenseless and surrounded. Not to mention no means of attack. At least none he could remember. "Uh... Hey I don't think I'm alone"! He yelled towards his traveling companion. "Hello?! Are you there"!? He could see the figures getting closer. He closed his eyes. Not wanting to see the horrors of the wasteland. He heard them, footsteps. Coming closer, and closer. Until they stopped. He heard gurgling noises and the sound of things falling. Slowly he opened his eyes. At least fifteen bodies littered the area now. In the middle knelt a figure. Those that had died were horribly disfigured and vile looking creatures.

They had an elongated jaw with razor sharp teeth and claws for ripping flesh from victims. They looked to only have two legs, but it was hard to tell since they were laying down. The figure in the middle rose from it's knees and turned to Spyro. It was bipedal. With relatively normal proportions compared to the previous company. Bandages were wrapped around every part of it's body. It wore a robe made of the same bandages, and had bandoleer filled with vials, and other items across it's chest. A strange staff like object as strung across its back. A hood of bandages blocked the sun from it's face.

"Hey, I.. I'm warning you. I'm a dragon and will burn you. I'll uh.. crush you with my magic if you don't stay back"! The creature stopped, crossed it's arms and spoke in a low, intimidating voice.

"Empty threats are a sad sound. You have naught the strength or memory to attack me. And your friend is to tired to do anything about it. Though she will lie to you".

"What have you done with her?! Where is she"?! Snarled Spyro, growing more and more angry.

The creature laughed. "I have done nothing to your friend. Nor do I plan on doing anything. You are both dragons. Creatures far too rare around these parts to be killing. However, I do Suppose even rarity can be a disappointment. I expected someone a bit... taller".

Spyro huffed. "Laugh all you want. I will have you know the world is back together thanks to me! I think".

"You think? Bold claims to be unsure about".

"Well there might have been a bit of memory loss, but it's coming back. I hope".

"I'm sure it will. Her name is Cynder by the way. She scorched these plains long ago. It's hard to forget a face of one so merciless. But I've learn to let go of my anger. Anger may give you purpose, but it will most likely be misguided and foolish. The same goes for guilt. You'd be wise to remember that, young one". He turned and began walking away.

"Wait"! Shouted Spyro. "Can I ask a favor of you"? The stranger nodded. "Can you make sure that uhh.. Cyn.. Cynder is okay"?

The stranger sighed. "I have read and written many prophecies, and yours does not end with her. I will do as requested but not answer anything more. I have said too much as it is already". He disappeared into a cloud of smoke, and reappeared moments later. "She is safe. But hungry. I fear I have interfered too much already, but I will leave you a gift. One last favor. The first was out of kindness. Be mindful though, you will need to offer something in return. Of equal or greater value".

"It can be anything"?

The stranger nodded. "Anything your mind can imagine. So long as it is within my power to do so. But know I am by no means weak. And the worst that could happen is I say no".

The purple dragon thought for a moment. "Can you take us to a healer? Maybe a place with some beds? I can work to pay off whatever you think it's worth"!

He considered the offer. "They say a dragons are quite powerful. Connected to the world beyond in ways unimaginable. I will grant you your request. But Your companion must work as well. She will work with the elder doing whatever they wish. Be it looking into the beyond, or killing someone we are unsatisfied with". That last detail worried him But seeing as they had no other options at the moment, Spyro agreed to the terms. "Very well". The stranger walked towards him and drew an small curved dagger. He cut into his palm deeply, then Spyro's, much to his discomfort. He brought the wounds together and could feel the draconian blood flow into him. "Bound by blood is your word. Should you break it, it will break you". He released his grasp. "Now to find your friend. Give me a moment". Again he disappeared and reappeared only this time with a struggling dragoness in his hand. He tossed her towards Spyro.

"What's the big idea?! Who are you? Here for a fight? Because I'll give you one"! She said as she got into a fighting position.

"We know you've naught the strength to make it interesting. I am merely trying to help you".

She laughed. "Yeah I bet you are".

"Cynder, wait he"..

"Not now Spyro. He's dangerous I can feel it".

The stranger raised his left hand into the air. "If you attack, you won't get very far. Trust me".

"We'll see about that". Cynder started a dash but was stopped before she could finish her first step. She felt an overwhelming amount of force pull her to the ground. "What's going on"?! She asked, worried at her new found weight.

"All things fall to earth. And those that stay on the ground, will not move. Are you ready to listen? Or do I have to bury you in the sand"? As much as she hated to admit it, she had lost. She nodded. "Very well. May you rise from the earth, and learn from your idiocy".

She felt the weight disappear, and she rose. "Well, I'm listening".

"I am tasked with bringing you to a healer. As asked for by Spyro. If you wish however, I could leave you to fend for yourself. I'm sure you'd be fine".

Cynder looked back at Spyro. In his broken state, he'd most likely get them killed. She turned back to the stranger. "If he trusts you, I guess I have no choice. Bring us to a healer".

"As you wish". The stranger put a hand on each of their shoulders, and disappeared.

Chapter One. Now I'm not a 'Don't like don't read' kind of person. All criticism welcome! Love it? Great! Tell me why. Hate it? Great! Tell me why. If you find any inconsistencies or grammatical errors let me know.