THE GAME
Jovani Burgos

"Check. Your move," Spyro remarked gleefully as he placed his queen in front of Sparx's king.

Sparx looked at the chess board carefully, plotting out his next move. Not a bird chirped, even though they were playing a game of chess under a tree in the daylight splendor of mid-spring. Sparx thought some more, then he moved his bishop across the board, taking Spyro's queen.

"How did--? What?! That's not fair!" Spyro complained.

"It was a fair move. I'm not the one who has put my knight back on the board twice," commented Sparx.

"Are you saying I've been cheating?"

"I haven't said anything of the sort." Sparx looked up at Spyro. "I'm only commenting on what I see."

Spyro sighed, frustrated. "Whatever. My turn." Spyro moved a pawn up a space.

Sparx countered with his rook, taking the pawn and positioning Spyro's king between an opposing rook and a knight. "Check."

Spyro shook his head, almost angrily. "Okay." He quickly castled his king, effectively removing him from the clear and present danger. "Ha! I beat ya."

Sparx giggled.

"What? Why are you laughing?"

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"Yes. Why not?"

Sparx moved his queen forward, locking Spyro's king in fatal manner. "Checkmate. That's why." Sparx smiled, happily. "I win again!"

Spyro looked away for a moment. He quickly shifted his head at Sparx and opened his mouth, releasing a blast of fire.

Sparx, black as charcoal, coughed. "Real mature, Spyro."

Spyro smiled. "I win."