FSE

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Well, this marks the end of the names submission time. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR GIVING ME A SHITLOAD OF NAMES TO SORT THROUGH!!! lol jk the number was impressive but could've been more. As is, though, I'm happy and shall get down to deciding which names to use. A minimum of four shall be selected from the, what, ~40 I have now in the collection? Might be more than 40...oh well. It'll be hard and I hate playing favorites, but then again, stuff like this is done every day with lotteries for college scholarships and crap like that.

And I forgot to the last two chapters, but I'd like to thank my two editors for helping me with these chapters. You know who you are :P

OH YES a problem that was quite heavily debated about my story a while back is resolved! Read on!

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-- Chapter 7 --

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8 days later, with only a month to go for Flare and Cynder, things were still fairly quiet. Spyro would often go up onto the roof of the dojo and just sit there, not responding to anyone until midday. Cynder, a bit curious, finally decided to go up and sit next to him and wait until he "woke up", as they'd started calling it. It was harder for her to fly now, but unlike Flare who dealt with it, Cynder didn't want to give in just yet. She sat down by Spyro and looked at him, watching his fins and wings sway ever so slightly in the gentle breeze.

"Spyro?" she asked, but he didn't move a single muscle. "C'mon, I know you're there, Spyro. Snap out of it already." She went to touch him, and shrieked and jumped back in sheer surprise---her paw went right into him! He wasn't there! "WHAT THE--"

At that moment he shuddered violently and there was a swirl of light around him. He yawned and looked at her.

"You just had to, didn't you?" he asked, but even though his face was stern his voice wasn't.

"What the heck was that?!" she asked, a bit scared.

He sighed and looked down. "I knew it would scare you, but I should've shown you earlier. It's how I enter the 'otherworld' where Gaul is now trapped...where you pulled me out of in that final battle against the Dark Master." She timidly reached out, hesitating, and he laughed. "Go ahead, I'm solid again."

She ran her paw along his arm and sighed with relief. "Oh geez, you really scared me Spyro."

"Sorry...but you're lucky I was on my way back. You touching me warped me back here."

"So...if you're...like that, I can just touch you and bring you back?"

"Pretty much, though I wouldn't advise it. I have a feeling that if you did that at the wrong time I could be permanently injured or something."

"You don't know?"

He shook his head. "How would I? No one else before me has been able to do this, at least to the extent I can."

They fell silent until Cynder yawned. "I hate this...I'm always feeling so tired..." She rubbed her belly and groaned.

"You okay?"

"It just hurts a bit...carrying two doesn't sound like much but it is..."

"You sure you're not covering it up?"

"Yes, Spyro, I'm sure. If something were wrong, I'd tell you. I don't want to put the little ones at risk for my pride."

Spyro nuzzled against her and she couldn't help but grin. "Well, they're lucky to have a mother like you. But on that subject of pride, don't push yourself too hard."

"I won't...not like I can now anyway, being so tired all the time...but I don't wanna stay bedridden for a month."

"Think you're up for a walk?"

"Maybe. I think a midday nap might be nice too."

She followed Spyro down to the ground below the balcony and they went for a walk through the woods. From the balcony, Flare watched them disappear among the mushrooms and sighed. It reminded her of the times she and Solar would slip away quietly for some alone-time back in Paralos. She then remembered her parents, and snorted in disgust. As her paw moved along her belly she smiled to herself.

"They would be so ticked off with me right now," she said to herself in defiance. "But I would never have found anyone else like Solar had I listened to them. Too bad they're technically grandparents now, they don't deserve it."

"Who doesn't deserve what?" Flare turned around as Solar walked up alongside her. She nuzzled against his neck and he repeated his question. "Who isn't deserving of what?"

"Nothing...just thinking about Paralos and my ungrateful parents."

He put his wing around her and she leaned against him. "Happy to be away from them?"

"Definitely. Sounds ungrateful myself but I don't miss them. They were such jerks...had I listened to them I never would've been as happy as I am with you."

He tickled her with his tail and she laughed, brushing it away with her hind leg. "Only a month to go for you..."

"For us, you mean," she replied, nudging him. Her face fell a bit. "I'm worried, though...about that dream Cynder and I had."

"Cynder told me you two found a good, hidden place for the nesting."

"Nesting...makes us sound like birds. But yes, it's down in the hidden tunnels." Her eyes widened and she looked back at the temple.

"Don't worry, he's asleep. I had to knock him out again...but this time he asked me to. That thing was getting a hold on him again and he didn't want to harm us."

"That blue thing is hanging around here again...somehow I can feel it nearby."

"Alex fought it again this morning. It's becoming more and more intent on him...thing is, I don't sense it as an enemy."

"Maybe it isn't...maybe it's confused?"

"Could be. But confused or not it almost had Alex's arm this morning."

Flare suddenly groaned and hunched in pain. "Oooh...ow..."

"You okay?"

"Think I ate a little too much earlier today..."

"You should rest if you have an upset stomach."

"How about I show you where Cynder and I plan to nest?"

"Sounds good." Solar followed Flare down into the tunnels, and she slowly made her way into the tunnels before stopping.

"It's straight back this way, but I don't feel like climbing over all the rocks right now..."

"You wanna take a stroll outside?"

"Sure, getting out of here sounds good. I thought you told me to rest, though?"

"A little walk shouldn't do you much harm."

The two dragons made their way through the tunnels out into the forest, and both couples spent some time outside, enjoying the warm afternoon sun as they basked on the huge mushrooms. Spyro lay on his side, dozing with Cynder draped over him, and Solar and Flare snoozed as they lay in each others' arms.

The next morning, Spyro woke up unusually early. The elders were gone for the day, responding to a disturbance in Tall Plains. As Spyro felt the air, something didn't seem right... Giving Cynder a quick kiss and whispering "I'll be right back", he slipped off the bed and ambled into the dojo. As he approached the huge stone dragon statue in the center of the room he froze--someone was nearby.

"Spyro, get back," someone hissed, and Spyro started and looked up. Alex was perched atop the statue, his tail flicking irratibly. "Someone's in the Temple."

"Who?"

"Solar remotely ushered it inside, get back in your room. This is a trap for it."

Spyro looked at Alex oddly...it may be a trap but the tone in the green dragon's voice gave Spyro the impression that Alex had other plans. He crept back into the bedroom as Cynder yawned and opened her eyes.

"Spyro? Something wrong?"

"There may be trouble soon...stay out of the way," Spyro replied, coming to the bedside. "We don't need you getting hurt if something happens."

"What's going on?"

"I don't know, Alex says they've laid a trap for someone that's been hovering around the Temple, but something's not right with him."

Spyro and Cynder looked into the dojo from their bedroom doorway, and Cynder just barely saw Alex's twitching tail atop the dragon statue. Outside, Solar suddenly roared, and Flare screamed as something flashed by her from the tunnels into the main room. Spyro and Cynder stayed where they were and watched as the central statue began to descend and Alex flipped through the air and stopped the intruder, quickly pinning its arms behind its back. Solar barred the way to the balcony and the doors closed, and Spyro and Cynder jumped into the dojo as the emergency door to their room moved shut. Spyro looked at the intruder as Alex restrained it...it was a lot like Alex -- horns, wings, tail, overall draconic form... but unlike Alex, it wore blades on its paws and feet.

"So, been sneaking around here, have we?" Alex growled.

"And now I have you right where I want you," the newcomer hissed.

"It's a girl?" Cynder asked, but Spyro didn't have a chance to answer as the blue-dressed girl suddenly flipped forwards, throwing Alex off herself at the far wall. Alex landed on the wall on all fours and shoved off, flipping off the floor right over his enemy as she kicked at him. The dragons could only watch as the two brawled, entering a rapid-paced fistfight. Cynder clapped her paws over her mouth to stifle a shriek as Alex suddenly took an elbow-blow to the side and fell over. He used his tail to whiplash the girl in the back as she stepped over him, and she screamed and fell to the side, giving Alex a chance to roll away and struggle back to his feet.

"I'm not even close to being done with you yet," she snarled, and flicked her wrist to the side as she stood up. There was a small flash and two small katanas appeared in her paw.

"NO!!" Alex snarled, seeing Solar about to shoot her with icicles. "This is my fight!" He ducked as she leapt at him, the metal of her swords glistening with a sharp swish through the air as she just barely missed his head. She tried to backhand-stab him as she landed but he grabbed her wrist and quickly took a sword, leaping away and holding the sword out to dissuade her rush at him. She laughed as he clutched his side where she'd hit him.

"I see your training hasn't been sufficient enough. Handsome and tough though you are, you're no match for me."

"Why are you here?" he asked, sensing a familiarity under that black visor and blue face-wrap. She ran forward and locked blades with him viciously, shoving him backwards.

"You killed my friend and I'm here to avenge him," she growled, and swung at him. He blocked her sword and forced it back at her, breaking her visor with the back of her blade as he rolled to the side. She snarled and flung the visor to the side, shattering it against the wall. Spyro held Cynder as she whimpered, watching Alex and his enemy struggle against each other. With a loud yell the blue-dressed girl ran at Alex and they both grabbed each others' wrists, trying desperately to keep the other from attacking as they shoved back and forth, their feet slipping on the stone floor. Alex looked at her unguarded eyes, and at the same time she looked at his, and they suddenly stopped. The four dragons watching were utterly confused by the pause. The two swords suddenly clattered to the floor and disappeared in a small flash as Alex and his enemy stood up straight, still looking at each other. She slowly unwound the cloth around her mouth to speak.

"Alex?"

"Christine?! It can't be!!"

Spyro and Cynder looked at each other with confused expressions as Alex and Christine hugged each other tight in a passionate kiss, tears falling from their eyes. Christine sobbed happily and broke away, running her paws along Alex's chest and shoulders in wonder.

"W-what happened to you?"

"What happened to YOU?" he asked, unwrapping her face. She was a dragoness now (obviously), her eyes the same as her sky-blue scale color with glittering white fin-scales running down her neck. He laughed and cried at the same time. "I knew you liked dragons and reptiles, but..." They hugged each other again. "Oh my gosh... Christine, I missed you so much..."

* * * *

That evening, the two dragon couples sat out on the balcony. Up above them on one of the archways over the ramp to the temple, Alex and Christine sat, wrapped in each others' arms and looking out at the sky before them as it slowly changed colors. There was a rush of wings below, and not too long afterwards Ignitus and the other guardians came out onto the balcony.

"Enjoying the night?" Cyril asked.

"A little more than that," Solar said, and looked up at Alex and Christine. The two jumped down and stood before the guardians.

"This is Christine," Alex said, his arm around her shoulders. "She's the one I've been trying to locate since arriving here."

"Another ice dragon," Volteer said, looking over Christine's ice-blue scales and white fins. "This is very astonishing. What would cause your species to transform on entering this realm?"

"Volteer, not now," Ignitus said a bit sharply, and turned to Christine. "Well, we're a little pressed for room here, but please, make yourself comfortable. How is it that you got here?"

Christine looked at the floor and sighed. "Well...I already told this to the others, but when I fell here I was pretty badly injured. I don't remember much, but there was this guy dressed in a black robe that tended to my wounds and kept me alive. He told me that Alex had fallen here too, but that he had been killed by a green dragon with electric breath...I was so angry I came out here and spied on you here at the temple, waiting for a chance to strike."

"Isn't Alex the green dragon?"

"Yes, but I didn't know that. Now I know it was that damn shadow that kept me alive...it lied to me to get me to kill Alex. And I almost did..." She leaned against Alex with a heavy sigh and he hugged her.

"Hey, it's not completely your fault. You didn't know."

Spyro and Cynder came up alongside Alex and Christine, and Ignitus smiled at them. "You two doing well?"

"It's only been a day, Ignitus," Cynder laughed. "We're fine."

"Good to hear. We're worried, though...this is the final month before the attack."

"I know..."Alex grunted. "Christine has my better weapons and some armor, that'll come in handy. I still can't access the dimensional warp..."

"Well, you still have a month."

Cynder sighed and leaned on Spyro, and he put his wing over her. "Hey, don't worry, they won't get past me. They won't get to them," he whispered in her ear, but Christine heard him and cast a confused glance at them.

"'Them'?"

Cynder coughed and blushed a bit. "You haven't guessed yet?"

"Alex and I came out here only fifteen minutes ago. We've been talking inside since I got here."

"Cynder and Flare are expecting in another month," Spyro said, giving Cynder a playful squeeze. "But you didn't find that out after a month of spying on us?"

"Not really, I was more focused on Alex...wait, you're starting families?!"

They all laughed and Alex shook her playfully. "Little slow on the uptake as always."

"Yes, we've finally gotten around to starting our families," Flare said, and she nuzzled Solar. "One more month left..."

Terrador cleared his throat. "Well, I hate to break it up, but there's an issue at Tall Plains."

Spyro groaned. "Don't say it, lemme guess...we gotta go clear out the enemies there, am I right?"

"Well, seeing how we're too old to do it ourselves..." Ignitus said, rolling his eyes back and forth hintingly before looking at Spyro.

Solar and Spyro both groaned. "Okay...but what about Flare and Cynder?"

"If it's not too much trouble, sir," Christine said, catching Ignitus' attention, "Alex and I could go in their stead..."

"Can you fly?"

She looked at Alex but he shook his head, answering her unvoiced question to him. "Uuuhhh...not really..."

"I'll offer myself as transportation for one of you," Volteer said, "but I would require the assistance of another in bearing them to their destination."

"I'll do it," Terrador huffed. "You leave tomorrow."

Alex and Christine nodded and followed the guardians into the main room. Spyro sat back down next to Cynder and she leaned her head against him.

"So Cynder, did you tell Spyro yet?" Flare asked after a while, and Spyro looked down at Cynder.

"Tell me what?"

Cynder quickly sighed and looked up at him. "Flare and I have had similar dreams...we don't know if it's real or not but I get the feeling the two of us are gonna give birth on the same day...at the same time."

Spyro looked over at Flare and she nodded. "Crazy though it sounds..."

"But if you're having dreams about it..." Spyro looked down, thinking.

"Spyro?" Cynder asked curiously.

"How can that have importance? This new news makes me nervous about what's gonna happen."

"Well, we've got another month to go," Cynder replied, giving him a quick lick.

Christine's eyes lit up. "Really?! That's great! Congrats you guys!" She turned to Alex. "By the way, I don't suppose you've heard from our friends yet, have you? On their new little ones?"

"No, I can't connect to them from here," Alex replied, and he looked at the floor. "Christine...remember that evil force that took hold of me and we thought we'd banished?"

"'Thought'? We banished it, I know we did!" she said, confused.

He shook his head. "No...it's definitely still in me. My first day here it took me over briefly...then a second time not too long after...I hate to say it, Christine, but we failed that mission."

"B-but...how...we weren't supposed to be able to get back through the portal if it was still latched to you!"

"I don't get it either, but I've been doing some thinking...when we passed through the portal it didn't seem right, and I think its power was toned down so that whatever was left in me could make it through."

"But...Alex, why?"

"I wish I knew..." Christine yawned and stretched, and Alex stood up. "Come on, you need sleep."

"Where do we sleep, anyway?" she asked, and he showed her into the main room. After a little bit Spyro and Cynder both stood up, yawning and stretching.

"I think we'll go to bed as well," Spyro said sleepily to Solar and Flare, and they nodded and the two younger dragons headed to their room. Spyro helped Cynder up onto the bed and then jumped up to his spot, and as usual they wrapped themselves around each other.

"Well, now Christine's here," Cynder yawned. "Maybe she can help Alex with his problem."

"I sure hope so...I feel so sorry for him."

Cynder ran her paw over Spyro's face and kissed him. "I love you so much, Spyro...you're always so concerned about others..." He raised an eyebrow as her face fell. "I haven't been helpful myself..."

He lifted her face to his, and she started a bit at his stern look. "Cynder, don't convince yourself of that. You helped me defeat the Dark Master twice, as well as assisting others here and there over the years. I may be more open to helping others, but you're not the selfish dragoness you seem to think you are." He pressed his nose against hers. "Got it? Don't be so upset about yourself...don't let these negative thoughts take you."

She hugged him. "I know...but I can't help myself. I don't know why but I keep feeling these really strong emotions..."

Spyro pulled her up into a sitting position. "I know something that might help." He pulled her into a hug, and began slowly massaging her back. She sighed happily and just draped herself against him, slowly falling into a blissful sleep as he caressed her. As her sweet sleepy breath washed over his back and sounded in his ears, Spyro couldn't help but smile...and worry. If she and Flare were going to give birth at the exact same time...that could only mean trouble. It was far too coincidental to not mean anything...

Outside, Solar and Flare were playfully taking turns nuzzling each other until they finally sank into a deep kiss, their tails wrapping around each other. Flare eventually pulled away, but kept her tongue out and slowly ran it along Solar's cheek.

"Do I taste good?" he whispered, and she giggled and jokingly nodded.

"I'm just so happy around you, Solar..."

"Something's bugging you, I can feel it."

Her smile faded. "I'm just really worried...about the birth day. If the attack doesn't come by then..."

"Nothing will get to the eggs," Solar said with a fierce determination that caught her attention. "I will personally see to it."

"Solar, don't be like that...I don't wanna see you go nuts again. It was scary enough the first time..."

"Flare, you know how to fight, but I'm afraid you're not fully suited for protection by yourself...I'm worried that if I left you, your fighting skills wouldn't be adequate."

She sighed and hung her head. "I know...I'm just not built for fighting. But you didn't see me fight against that mage army a while back."

"Cynder told me about it and how they nearly overwhelmed you."

"Oh...yeah..."

He put his paw under her chin and lifted her face gently, pressing his nose against hers. "If you weren't so burdened and tired now, I'd train you personally."

"Burdened?" she asked, pulling away. "You think it's a 'burden'?"

Solar's eyes widened. "Flare, I didn't mean that word-"

"I think you did," she cut in angrily. "I'm carrying our children and you think it's a burden?"

"No, Flare listen-"

"Why? Why should I listen to someone who thinks of his children as a burden?"

"I do not!" he said, the controlling tone in his voice breaking through and making Flare stop and stare at him. "Flare, I've got lots on my mind and that slipped, okay? I didn't mean it that way. I meant, if you weren't currently pregnant, I'd train you, but seeing how you shouldn't push yourself, I can't. I should have before now, but it was my fault for putting it off."

"And what's on your mind that would make you say something like that?"

"I'm worried about everything going on. Spyro's got that dark-matter problem, Alex is possessed, two groups of his enemies are attacking us, the ape forces are regrouping...there's a lot going on and I can't help but worry about it all and about your safety and that of our little ones. If anyone's burdened, it's me because I'm worrying too much about everything."

She punched him in the shoulder but he barely felt it. "How many times do I hafta tell you not to worry about everything? Solar, you've got me worried about you...you're really gonna wear yourself down with all these things. Just deal with things as they come, that's what I do."

"But you didn't go through military training. I can't help but try to plan ahead for these things, but things keep on coming up that throw me off..." He sighed and hung his head. "I guess you're right, I need to stop...but I've been thinking this way for so long I don't know how to not think ahead."

"Think ahead, but don't obssess about it," Flare said, putting her paw over his. "You're putting too much energy into worrying about things."

Solar sighed again and put his head down, and she lay her head on his neck. He put his wing over her but otherwise didn't move. "I still can't decide on names..."

"That's not of pressing importance right now," she whispered. "It will be later, but not right now. First sort out your mental issues, then decide on names."

They slowly fell asleep, but as the night cooled Solar woke up to find Flare shivering against him. She was fast asleep, though, so he carefully picked her up, walking on his hind legs, and carried her into the Pool of Visions room. Even though she was just a head under his height, to him she weighed almost nothing. In the other room he heard the guardians snoring, and gently set Flare down by the wall. His mind was racing again and wouldn't let him grow sleepy again, so with a kiss to Flare's forehead he walked through the temple, just letting his mind wander. Looking into Spyro and Cynder's room he saw Spyro on his back, Cynder lying on her side right next to him with her head over his neck. Something about Cynder felt a little off, and it bothered Solar...it wasn't dark, but he felt that there might be a problem in the near future. Shaking his head he walked away, looking around the dojo. By the doorway to their room, Alex was reclined against the wall, fast asleep with Christine lying against him. For once, Alex had a smile on his face.

The next morning, Spyro woke up early to find Cynder draped over him, her head right next to his on his pillow. He chuckled to himself and sleepily traced his claw along the faint lines of her muscles. As his claws lightly ran along the design on her shoulder she twitched and grunted, mumbling in his ear.

"Cynder, how can you stand being so cute?" he whispered. As he lay there, he felt the air around them. Something...something felt different yet familiar...the air seemed cooler and clearer than usual. "Don't worry, Cynder, I'll be back," he said, gently sliding out from under her and slipping off the bed. Cynder just nuzzled into the pillow as she continued sleeping. Stretching his legs and wings, and rolling his shoulders and neck, Spyro walked over to their bedroom window and looked outside. The mushrooms were starting to look a little different, but it didn't hit him until he saw the fruit trees. They were slowly becoming more yellow in the leaf. "Wow..fall already...where's the time gone?" Spyro asked himself, looking at the sky. A sudden memory came to him, and he side-glanced at Cynder as she dozed. "Cynder, I'll be back, hopefully with a little surprise." With that he pulled himself up and out of the window, free-falling and spreading his wings, ascending into the air and feeling the crisp air flow over him. It was definitely the beginning of fall. As he flew, a purple-and-gold streak through the morning air, he spied what he'd been expecting and readied himself for the assault.

Christine snapped awake with a violent start when she heard a low groan behind her, and staggered to her feet rather clumsily. To her immense relief, it wasn't an enemy; it was Alex. With a sigh she slumped back down to the floor and lay against him. Yesterday hadn't been a dream... Feeling a little daring, she lay down in front of Alex and pressed her back against him, pulling his arm over her abdomen and trying not to laugh as she anticipated his reaction.

Alex's closed eyes slowly registered the light coming in from the balcony doorway and the glass ceiling, and he finally gained enough consciousness to stretch. He suddenly felt something against him, and as he stopped he heard Chrstine snort faintly right next to him as she tried not to laugh.

"So this is her game, is it?" he thought to himself. Mentally grinning slyly he yawned and relaxed again, listening to Christine's half-frustrated groan. Without any warning at all he suddenly roared and grabbed her with both arms, and she screamed, her frightened yell turning into hysterical laughter as he tickled her.

"Ale-Alex!! Stop!!" she screeched, trying to pull away from him. He laughed and let her go, and when she'd caught her breath she turned to him and hugged him. "One hell of a way to wake someone up."

"Well, what's with snuggling up to me like that?"

Christine was about to answer when they both jumped at the sound of an annoyed cough from Ignitus.

"Is there a problem out here?"

"No...I'm sorry, Ignitus, but I'm just happy to have Christine here," Alex said, and pulled Christine into a tight hug that she gladly returned.

"It's nice to see you two together, but please, no more early-morning screams, okay?"

"Yes sir," they both said, a bit embarrassed. Ignitus walked away to the temple garden as Cynder walked into the room, yawning.

"Anyone seen Spyro?" she asked a bit sleepily.

"Not really," Alex said, standing up. "He must've left again."

Cynder grunted humorously, shaking her head. "Spyro, what'm I gonna do with you?"

"I'm not even gonna guess," Christine muttered jokingly, and Alex shook her.

"Hey hey, no nasty thoughts here."

Cynder laughed. "I was thinking about it but I'm just not in the mood."

Solar came in from the Pool of Visions room. "You in the mood for breakfast?"

Cynder nodded, but then frowned. "Well, I am, but..."

"But?" Solar's eyebrow rose.

"I dunno...I kinda want something other than berries and fruits. Call me vicious, but I've got this real strong want for meat."

Solar laughed. "You're not alone. Flare's feeling that way too, but I don't know where to get it. It seems that wildlife around here still hasn't recovered from that final battle two years ago."

"There are apes not too far away," Alex said jokingly, and Cynder shuddered.

"Oh geez...ugh, the thought of even touching those things..." She shivered again, sticking her tongue out. "Bleah...they were a pain the turn into an army, I don't think they'd make a halfway decent meal."

"Army?" Alex and Christine both asked, and Cynder and Solar looked at each other.

"You explain, I'll get you and Flare something. I'll get you both some water too after I come back." With that Solar took off and Cynder was left to explain to the two dragon-humans about her captivity under the Dark Master and the ape army she'd commanded and overseen.

"Oh yes...I think I remember hearing about that now..." Alex said, thinking back. As they chatted, Flare came out and joined in, but she stayed her usual quiet self around Alex. Solar eventually came back with the berries and fruit, and Cynder sighed as she picked up a berry.

"Where is Spyro?" she asked herself, kind of wanting him to freeze some of this the way she liked it.

At that moment there was a rush of wings out on the balcony, followed by a very familiar "Whoa!", like he was dropping something. "I could use some help with this!"

Solar went outside, and they heard him laugh and the next thing they knew Spyro came in, followed by Solar walking on two legs and carrying a large number of fat wild geese. Cynder's jaw dropped when she saw Spyro's catch, and he laughed and hugged her.

"Wow," Flare said, obviously impressed as Solar set the dead birds down nearby. Somehow, Spyro had gotten about ten or so, which was enough for six days' worth of meat-only meals for the dragons---and one bird was enough to keep a dragon going for a day or two.

"It's that time of year again," Spyro said, obviously pleased with himself. "The geese and other birds are coming in from the mainland to escape the winter. I also saw whole shoals of fish in the shallows, here to stay for the winter as well, looks like another good cold season like last year."

"It's fall already?" Cynder asked, and went over and looked out the balcony doorway. "Oh my gosh! The year's flown!"

"Time does that when you're not paying attention," Solar said with a joking grin.

"Wow, these things are big," Alex said, looking over a goose.

"Uh...not to...sound squemish or anything but...uh, how do...how do you guys eat these?" Christine asked, obviously a bit unnerved.

"We flamebreath-roast them usually," Cynder said, swallowing the fruit she was eating. "Though of course, preparation is messy but that's to be expected."

"How do other-element dragons eat meat, though?" Alex asked. "I mean, if they're on their own?"

Solar looked at the floor with a laughing snort. "Christine wouldn't like the answer."

"No further please," she said, her paw over her gut. Alex laughed and put his arm around her.

"Well, let's get some breakfast in us," Solar said, and they gathered around the berries and fruits.

Later that day, while Alex helped Solar clean the geese outside, Spyro and the girls were on the balcony. Cynder wasn't feeling well but insisted on being outside, and Spyro was there to help her in case something happened. The three females just chatted, and soon Spyro felt himself zoning out, seeing how he was just there and not really participating in the discussions. His mind kept wandering back to when he and Cynder would sit out here and talk...it seemed like so long ago, they'd simply been friends after he'd saved her. As if in fast-forward his memory cruised through that one year two years ago, and then suddenly seemed to slow down on that day he and Cynder had professed their love for each other. Cynder heard him sigh and she nuzzled him.

"Something wrong?"

"No...just thinking back."

"Our first day together?"

He laughed. "Damn you scare me. Am I that easy to read?"

"Yep," she said with a giggle, and kissed him. "I was just telling Christine about the secret spot for our nests."

"Huh?"

Flare giggled at his clueless expression. "Remember, that dream Cynder told you about?"

Spyro's face lit up. "Oh right...that thing about Alex. Where is it anyway?"

Cynder grunted and stood up. "I hate this, it's getting harder to move every day," she groaned. "C'mon, let's go."

"You guys go, I'll stay here," Flare said, and watched as Spyro, Cynder, and Christine went into the temple. Feeling tired herself she curled up and slowly fell asleep with the sun warming her and the fall wind keeping her comfortable.

As they neared the tunnels, Spyro slowed down. "This is where it is?"

"Yep," Cynder said cheerfully, leading them further in. Spyro was hesitant...something didn't feel right. But then again, everywhere he went something didn't feel right; it was his sense of the parallel "otherworld" leaking into his normal senses. Shaking his head he followed Cynder and Christine to Cynder's special spot. Cynder curled up on her little stone cushion. "I used to come down here when you were away, Spyro. Though if we're gonna give birth here the tunnel with need to be cleared so we can get in here more easily."

Spyro looked around, examining the room. He looked over the rubble in the hallway, obviously thinking.

"What's on your mind?" Christine asked, standing near him.

"These tunnels are pretty nicely accessible to both friend and foe," Spyro muttered, looking over the rubble more closely. "Some sort of hidden door would help conceal the rooms."

Before Christine could ask about the door idea, Spyro's head shot up in alarm and he looked down the tunnel. Cynder sat up. "Spyro? What is it?"

"Alex's enemies, they're back," Spyro growled. Christine grunted.

"I'll go get Alex and Solar," she said, and raced off, turning into an ice-blue blur. Spyro walked up to Cynder and stood up so he could reach her on her seat.

"You stay here this time," he whispered. "Last time you shouldn't've fought."

"I know. I'll protect them my own way...the way I should." She planted her lips on his with a smile. "Now get out there." As she watched Spyro disappear down the tunnel, she rubbed her swollen midsection with a sigh. Her "laziness" would be their protection...With a confused glance she suddenly felt a little harder. One of her eggs was bigger than the other! "Wait 'til Spyro hears this," she giggled to herself, excited by the idea that came to mind.

"Where are they all coming from?!" Alex shouted, spearing an enemy through the chest with his tail. "I thought you could sense the transportations!"

Spyro roared and let loose a powerful blast of flames from his mouth. "I thought so too! Don't blame me for this!"

"They must've found a way around it!" Solar shouted, dodging a magic bolt. He whipped around, bringing his claws and tail out and shredding the mages around him.

They'd been fighting for a good hour, not just against these black-cloaked mages but also against mind-controlled enemies from the island---mushroom spiders, mutated frogweeds...Spyro looked quickly to the side as an ice-blue blur flashed by, cutting down a spider that was about to catch Spyro off-guard. He was suddenly sent skidding along the ground as a blast of earth-power came at him from a mage. Growling and ignoring the searing pain in his side he flipped up into the air.

"This ends NOW!!" he shouted, charging his lightbreath. Solar shot icicles towards him, and Spyro avoided them, giving them clearance for their intended targets that had appeared in mid-air behind him.

Nearby, Alex flipped over Solar, carrying a mage, and at the apex of his jump he flung the mage hard at the ground. Landing on another one and cracking its back and shoulders he jumped to the side to avoid a dark blast. He looked up quickly at Spyro gathering light around his mouth, and then back down. Some mages were preparing a counter for his attack.

"Spyro!!!" Alex shouted. "Don't do it!!! They'll blow the whole place up!!" A nearby spider spun rapidly at him and sent him flying to the side right into Solar. Spyro saw the counteraction being prepared.

"Oh crap!" he thought; he couldn't undo the charge of light power! "Christine, cut them down, I can't hold this longer!!" he called out, just barely keeping the light in check.

Christine flashed by, cutting down a few of the powering mages with a spinning dance of blades, but a mutated frogweed ensnared her with its tongue as she pulled out of her move. "HELP!!" she screamed, just before being swallowed up.

"CHRISTINE!!" Alex roared, charged recklessly through the enemy and getting knocked to the side.

Getting an idea, Spyro released the light jewel he carried. It floated up before his face, its four points glittering with their own light, and he unleashed his lightbreath on it. Solar snapped his head up on hearing the explosion, and saw Spyro fall through the air, the jewel still hanging where he'd blasted it. Solar rushed over and caught Spyro before he hit the ground.

"Get the jewel back!!" he shouted, and Spyro leapt back up into the air. To his surprise and anger, a mage suddenly appeared by the jewel.

"Don't you dare," Spyro growled, but both the mage and jewel disappeared. Spyro roared and flew back down to Solar, rage glowing in his eyes. "Solar, get Christine out of that frogweed before Alex kills himself!"

"What about you?" the ice dragon asked, whipping around and catching a spider upside the head with his tail.

"I'm going after my crystal," Spyro replied, and with that he suddenly vanished. Solar had no choice; Alex was getting beaten left and right, not watching what he was doing in his rage. With a roar the ice dragon spat a spear of ice at the frogweed holding Christine, and the huge monster fell over and disappeared in a dark flash. Christine shrieked and stood up, covered in slime.

"That...was...so sick..." she groaned, shuddering. "EEEWWWW!!!"

"Christine!!" Solar shouted, motioning for her to duck. She threw herself on the ground, just barely avoiding a shower of icicles as Solar shredded the enemies planning to take her down. While on the ground, she spun around and tripped up a mage dashing towards Solar. Another frogweed came at her, but she lashed it hard with her tail, going into a spinning roundhouse kick as she brought her farther foot around to strike. Alex caught the thing as it flew through the air at him, and he used it as a kind of meatshield as a spider flung itself at him.

Finally, the enemy was defeated for the most part, though many had fled. Even Solar was worn out, unable to produce much more icebreath. Alex was holding up his pants with one paw---one of the mages had torn the fabric of the waistband as it grabbed at him.

"I need a belt or something," he grumbled, and rushed to help Christine as she staggered. They were both pretty nicely bruised all over but Christine had taken a hard hit to the shin. Alex ignored the swelling bump on the back of his head as he helped support his girlfriend.

"I...have extra clothes, Alex," she panted.

"I know. You carried the majority of the supplies when we made the dimension jump."

"That was my bad, you needed them more than I did."

Solar came up to them. "You two okay?"

"Christine not so much," Alex said. "I'm fine."

"No you're not," Christine chided, and Alex grunted as she lightly hit the bump on his head.

"Well, you two get inside, I need to see if I can't find Spyro."

"Where did he go?"

"His light crystal was stolen and he went to get it back. I hope he does, there's no telling what your enemies will do with the power contained in it."

Alex helped Christine back into the tunnels, and Solar produced his light crystal. It aligned itself at a flat angle to the temple, and he snorted. "Cynder's is up there, Spyro's is straight off in the opposite direction. That makes it easy." With that he took off in search of his purple friend.

Cynder woke up with a start, her dream quickly fading into the ambient blue light of the plants on the walls of the small stone room. "Again with the light crystals...what's so important about them this time?" she groaned, stretching and yawning. "They helped us break through the Dark Master's darkness in his realm and they helped bring Spyro back...what's so important about them now?"

She walked slowly through the hallway, taking her time as her sleep slowly fell from her limbs. Just before she got into the main underground rooms, Solar came in and ushered her back. "Stay back, Cynder, Alex and Christine are coming through here, they're headed outside."

"Oh!" Cynder backed away into the tunnels and Solar followed her. She noticed he was panting. "Heavy fight?"

"You're lucky you weren't there..."

"Where's Spyro?"

Solar's eyes darkened. "In the battle his light crystal was stolen, and he went to get it."

Cynder's eyes widened and he cocked an eyebrow at her. "Solar...you need to find him!!"

"I tried, he's in the parallel realm."

Cynder sat down, her head hanging. "I sure hope he gets out okay..."

"Something wrong?"

"There's something about the light crystals...Solar, if the enemy uses them, we won't stand a chance against them. Spyro HAS to get that crystal back!"

Solar bit his lower lip. "And none of us can help him...damn, things just keep getting worse and worse..." He shook his head and sighed. "Well, now that things have settled down, we're gonna have some bird, and I know you've been wanting meat."

Despite her fear for Spyro, the thought of meat made her lick her lips. "I can't remember the last time I had some...oh wait, it was last fall. Duh."

"Don't worry, we'll save some for Spyro." Cynder nodded and followed Solar through the tunnels into the temple, her thoughts still on Spyro. Somehow, she felt that he was struggling...

"Please Spyro...please be safe..."

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Boo-yah! Chapter 7 down finally! But what is Cynder so excited about now? And what happened to Spyro? All shall be revealed...

I just now realized how long this is...wow. I thought it was shorter, guess I miscalculated. OH well, there's no rule on how long a chapter in a series has to be in relation to the others.